On the Translocation of Sugar: Van Der Waals' Forces and Surface Flow

Abstract

Theoretical analysis of sucrose adsorption to structural protein surfaces in terms of the Lifshitz continuum theory of van der Waals' forces suggests that this may provide a mechanism for rapid sucrose equilibration within the sieve tube system. It is also suggested that mobility of hydrated sucrose at an interface would reduce the resistance to bulk flow of solution through the sieve tubes.