Good going, Stefanie !
But does the central vacuole count as an excretory system?
But, I'll admit, that's sorta' a liver-type function, for sure, and I stand
corrected.
Steve
Stefanie Galgon wrote:
> Steve & all,
>> Watch out -- I've had my coffee!!! ;-)
>> I do not recall if someone already discussed HCN! Bare with me here...
> (if you would rather check out Wink's version, you'll find the information
> in Dey & Harborne pp 454-6).
>> Cyanogenic glycosides are hydrolyzed and decomposed to aldehydes / ketones
> plus HCN. HCN is toxic to mammals, insects, microorganisms, and...
> PLANTS! (you knew I'd get there sooner or later, right?). All organisms
> have a biochemical process of detoxifying this stuff. Plants are amazing
> in that they can get rid of it, by using it (I know, I know... plants do
> not have a will) as a defense mechanism. Fine line here? Maybe.
> Cyanogenic glycosides are stored in the central vacuole (I believe someone
> did bring this up... sorry if I am being repetitive). HCN is probably
> carriered or vesicled from cytoplasm to vacuole. Since HCN IS toxic to
> plants, hey, a detoxification pathway exists!
>> Detoxification of HCN by plants:
> HCN + cysteine --> 3-cyanoalanine --> asn --> asparagine
>> asparagine is a storage and transport compound (catalyzes the
> deamination of asparagine).
>> I think that is a darn good example. Please feel free to correct me on
> any misrepresented information.
>> Ref: Dey & Harborne, 1997, Plant Biochemistry -- aka The Bible!
>> Steffi
>> ******************************************************************
> Stefanie Galgon lab/message: (520) 523-7735
> Department of Biology
> Northern Arizona University smg4 at dana.ucc.nau.edu>> "Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death"
> Auntie Mame
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