Luminous plant roots (IMAGE) University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science Caption To investigate the significance of autophagy, the researchers developed a mutant Arabidopsis (thale cress) plant in which it's autophagy was disabled which is shown on the right. With an enzyme from fire flies the researchers made it possible to distinguish the normal plant from the plant with it's autophagy function disabled. The plant to the right hos fewer light areas and thereby fewer potential places to grow new roots with it's autophagy function turned off. Credit Eleazar Rodriguez, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. Usage Restrictions Use with credit License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.