Measuring Osmotic Pressure of Sap within Live Cells by Means of a Visual Melting Point Apparatus

Abstract

A freezing slide apparatus is described for visual observation of freezing water and melting ice within plant cells. The slide consists of an ordinary microscope slide glued into a Plexiglass jacket, through which cold 90% ethyl alcohol is pumped at varying rates for temperature control. Temperature is recorded by means of an iron-constantan thermocouple wire (25-micron diameter) connected to a recording potentiometer. Tissue strips were quick frozen (at a cooling rate of 33 C per (1/2) minute) and then warmed very slowly (at a rate of 2 C per minute) for observation of melting points. This apparatus has been used to determine osmotic pressures of cell sap of guard and adjoining epidermal cells of Chrysanthemum morifolium and Pelargonium hortorum. An accuracy of +/- 1.2 atmospheres is possible. Wide variations among osmotic pressures of both guard and epidermal cells were found at any one stomatal aperture in both species.