Measurement of respiration and internal oxygen in germinating Cicer arietinum L. seeds using optic microsensor

Abstract

Internal oxygen concentrations vary in different tissues depending on tissue size, developmental stage, and their location. Respiratory rate of tissue also determines internal oxygen levels. For studying various signaling pathways it is essential to establish a correlation between respiration and internal oxygen. Seed germination is associated with increase in respiration which can dictate the internal oxygen and subsequent production of reactive oxygen species. Using optic oxygen microsensor we made an attempt to measure respiratory rate and internal oxygen. We found that microsensor is able to sense internal oxygen and it is also possible to measure oxygen levels in a close vial that contains seeds. Step-by-step protocol is described here along with illustration.