[Application of selective microelectrode in plant physiological research].

Abstract

Selective microelectrode technique, known as an electrophysiological approach, can be used to measure directly specific information on ion or molecule distribution and movement both inside and outside of living organelle, biological cells, tissue and organs. It has several advantages over other methods in measuring ionic or molecular information, e.g. easy to handle, fast response, high sensitivity (10(-12) moles cm(-2) s(-1)) and non-invasive to the samples in addition to continuous measurement and automatic monitoring. Microscopic-scale selective electrode (with a tip diameter of 0.5-5 microm) can be used to measure net fluxes of ions or molecules outside of growing biological cells, tissues and organs, to measure activities of ions or molecules inside of growing organelle and biological cells. Thus, it has many applications in various research fields. The technical principle of design and use of selective microelectrode and its progress and development prospect in plant physiological research are summarized.