
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Whitecross, MI 
A1  - Mercer, FV 
T1  - Permeability of Isolated <I>Eucalyptus gummifera</I> Cuticle Towards Alcohols and Amides
JF  - Australian Journal of Botany
JO  - Aust. J. Bot.
Y1  - 1972
VL  - 20
IS  - 1
SP  - 1
EP  - 7
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/BT9720001 
N2  - 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. 
ER  -

