Sensitivity of Plant Plasma Membrane to Simulated Microgravity.

Biological membranes, especially the plasma membrane, are considered to be the most sensitive to altered gravity in regard to their properties and functions. We studied the composition and content of lipids, fatty acids and sterols in the plasma membrane fractions isolated from epicotyls and roots of Pisum sativum seedlings grown during 7 days under simulated microgravity by slow clinorotation. We demonstrate differences in the content of these membrane components of clinorotated and 1 g controls. The results indicate the high sensitivity of root plasma membrane to altered gravity conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]