Could you help me with some biology problems that I am having? If you could
provide some help in the area of cell membranes or know of any good sites
realting to my problem, it would be much appreciated...
In beetroot cells, the red anthocyanin pigment occurs in the vacuoles.
Each vacuole is surrounded by a tonoplast membrane and outside it, the
cytoplasm is surrounded by the plasma membrane.
I conducted an experiment where I took a core of beetroot and placed in
into distilled water of differing temperatures (45-80 degrees celcius). I
found out that more pigment comes out of the beetroot if there is a higher
temperature.
I believe this is due to the membranes (tonoplast AND outer plasma
membrane) being affected somehow?
I think that on a microscopic level, at higher temperatures, the protien
structures (e.g. carrier protiens?) are being either sped up by the increase
of temperature or completely being denatured on the cell membranes. This
could possibly allow the diffusion of more anothocyanin?
There is also the role of the collision theory which would mean molecules
are moving much faster and can escape through the membranes faster?
Are there any more suggestions or explanations for this effect of
temperature on the movement of pigment through the cell membrane?
Very much appreciated,
Peter Clayton
