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This site created and
maintained by:
Kelly Moore
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Collins Science

Updated: 09-23-04
Student Participant
Andrea Countner

Junior: Biology
Participated in SCRP during the summer of 2004

Andrea is an editor of TELLUS, the WU study abroad journal. She recently returned from studying biology at the University of Western Australia.

Andrea is from Seattle, Washington. Outside of school, she enjoys water-skiing, horseback riding, sewing, and photography.

After graduating from WU she plans to work for awhile before pursuing graduate studies in biology.

Project Title
The Effect of Cytochrome P-450 Monooxygenase Inhibitors on Stomatal Opening Induced by Reduced CO2 Concentrations Under Red Light in Vicia faba Leaf Epidermis
Abstract
Guard cells, found in plants, control the dimensions of the openings of leaf stomata, and thereby, rates of transpiration and photosynthesis. Lowering concentrations of CO2 around stomata illuminated with red light activates stomatal opening, however, the mechanism is unknown. One hypothesis is that reduced CO2 concentrations trigger activation of cytochrome P-450 mono-oxygenases (CytP-450) that catalyze the metabolism of endogenous guard cell abscisic acid (ABA), a horomone that prevents stomatal opening. Stomata in epidermis detached from leaves of Vicia faba L. were illuminated with red light or maintained in darkness and exposed to CO2-free air in solutions containing or lacking the CytP-450 inhibitors: ancymidol or paclobutrazol. Stomatal opening was monitored microscopically over a four hour period. At different concentrations, ancymidol (amM) and paclobutrazol (5uM) fully inhibited stomatal opening normally induced by light and reducted CO2 concentrations. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that lowering CO2 around stomata illuminated with red light activates stomatal opening by triggering catabolism of endogenous guard cell ABA.
Advisor
Dr. Gary Tallman
 
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