8.2.2. Regulation of Mobilization
What regulates the rise in mobilizing activity that follows the germination
of a seed? This question really inquires about two processes, enzyme formation
and enzyme activity, since regulation can be achieved by controlling either or
both of these. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to determine which is
responsible simply by measuring the overall rates of mobilization of the reserves.
Further, measurements of the activity of extracted enzymes do not necessarily
reflect their in vivo activity, and storage tissues that have the same extractable
enzyme activity may be mobilizing reserves to quite different extents. Therefore,
an understanding of the regulation of mobilization should include knowledge
about rates of reserve utilization, rates of enzyme formation, and in vitro and in
vivo enzyme activity.