Alternative path mediated chloride absorption in cyanide-resistant tissues.

The ability of two cyanide-resistant tissues-aged potato slices and fresh preclimacteric banana slices-to take up chloride in the presence of cyanide has been established. Extensive inhibition of chloride uptake by cyanide and chlorbenzhydroxamate together indicates that chloride absorption in the presence of cyanide is supported by respiration mediated by the alternative path. The partial inhibition of respiration-dependent chloride uptake by chlorbenzhydroxamate alone is independent of its effect on the alternative oxidase, and points to inhibition of the transport process per se.