INTRACELLULAR MEMBRANES - KINETICS OF SUPEROXIDE PRODUCTION AND CHANGES IN THYLAKOIDS OF RESURRECTION PLANTS UPON DEHYDRATION AND REHYDRATION

Plants of Boea hygroscopica were grown in a controlled environment. Co ntrol leaves were detached from plants grown in well-watered condition s and then subjected for 144 h to rapid or slow dehydration. Dehydrate d leaves were then rehydrated for 36 h in distilled water. Rapid-dried leaves were not able to revive, whereas slow-dried leaves recovered t heir normal metabolic status. Results showed a different superoxide ra dical production in the dehydrated leaves accompanied by an altered li pid composition. Rehydrated leaves recovered the original lipid compos ition of control leaves. Spin-labelled thylakoid proteins of dehydrate d leaves showed lower -SH group levels and increased spin motion.