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Figure 6 | Genome Biology

Figure 6

From: From genome to function: the Arabidopsis aquaporins

Figure 6

An in vivo NMR spectrum of maize root segments. The two 1H signals are from water inside and outside the cells. The extracellular signal includes both the perfusing medium and the apoplast. Separation is achieved by the use of nontoxic paramagnetic complexes (here Gd-EDTA) such as those used for MRI in humans. The spectrum is recorded in less than 1 sec and allows accurate volume measurement for following osmotic shrinkage and swelling in vivo or for magnetic labeling experiments [70] that allow exchange rates in and out of cells to be determined. The same type of spectrum can be recorded to show the distribution of any small molecule that gives an NMR signal (that is, almost all biologically important ions and metabolites). By adding tracer quantities of D2O and recording 2H NMR spectra, the flux of water into the root cells can be followed.

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