Free space invertase activities were determined in carrot callus strains CRT1 and CRT2 grown under conditions in which sucrose suppression of chlorophyll synthesis occurred in CRT1 but not CRT2. CRT2 possessed a high free space acid invertase activity (pH optimum 5.0 Km for sucrose 3.1×10-3M) while CRT1 lacked this enzyme. [U-14C] sucrose introduced into the free space of calluses was rapidly inverted by CRT2, but not by CRT1.