Changes in cell membrane permeability and lipid content of wheat root cortex cells induced by NaCl

Wheat seedlings were grown hydroponically in absence and presence of 100 mM NaCl for 7 d. Cell membrane permeability to nonelectrolytes and water was determined by the plasmometric method for individual intact cells. NaCl increased membrane permeability to urea, methylurea and ethylurea and decreased permeability to water. Membrane lipid partiality was decreased by NaCl. The effects of NaCl on cell permeability parallel changes in the lipid composition of the plasma membranes induced by NaCl stress suggesting that nonelectrolyte permeability is a useful tool to probe alterations in the lipid matrix of the membrane.