ABSTRACT
Membranes are of paramount importance for the function of cells. The truth of this statement is evident by the fact that it is difficult to find any significant phenomenon in cell biology that is not correlated to membrane function in some way. This chapter discusses the effects of herbicides on membranes in plant cells. Chemically, both the plasma membrane and tonoplast consist of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. All known functions of the plasma membrane and tonoplast are related to their being barriers between the cytoplasm and nonplasmatic space. One of the major ways that herbicides can affect membrane function is by altering the semipermeability of the membrane. Transport of solutes across the membrane barrier is the second major function of both the plasma membrane and the tonoplast. Transmembrane transport is essential for maintaining the proper concentrations of mineral ions and organic solutes in the cytoplasm.
