Characterization of cadmium ion transport across model and real biomembranes and indication of induced damage of plant tissues

The present study is focused on characterization and elucidation of transport processes of the environmentally important element cadmium across model and real membranes. Basic steps of these processes were clarified on model synthetic membranes, which were characterized by atomic force microscopy and by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. To gain the cytoplasmic membranes containing specific transport systems, the technique for isolation of protoplasts from barley cells was optimized (cell wall-degrading enzyme, physiological state of plant leaves, type of osmotic stabilizers, and the composition of reaction solution). The obtained real parts of membranes were mixed with lecithin membranes and were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and the transported species were determined by voltammetric methods. Further, influence of cadmium on damage of plant tissues was investigated. Young barley plants were subjected to different doses of cadmium chloride and its presence affected the tissue damage, which could be characterized via conductivity of the electrolyte leakage.