
%0 Journal Article
%A Whitecross, MI 
%A Mercer, FV 
%T Permeability of Isolated <I>Eucalyptus gummifera</I> Cuticle Towards Alcohols and Amides
%J Australian Journal of Botany
%D 1972/04/01
%V 20
%N 1
%P 1-7
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/BT9720001
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/BT9720001 
%X The permeability of cuticle isolated from E. gummifera towards a range of aliphatic alcohols and amides was measured in vitro. These compounds were selected to assess the importance of lipoid solubility and molecular size in penetration of cuticle by non-electrolytes. Permeabilities were examined in relation to molecular refractions (as a measure of molecular volume) and oil/water partition coefficients (as a measure of lipoid solubility) of the permeating substances. Results were consistent with the cuticle functioning generally as a lipoid membrane which allows substances to permeate by passive diffusion according to their lipoid solubilities. A molecular sieve model might account rather better for the smallest of the permeating molecules. No asymmetry was observed in regard to inward and outward movement of alcohols or amides. As a first approximation, the isolated cuticle behaves as a homogeneous lipoid membrane having some aqueous pores. 
