烟草小孢子母细胞减数分裂过程中微管分布变化

应用间接免疫荧光标记技术和激光共聚焦扫描显微镜成像技术观察了烟草小孢子母细胞减数分裂过程中微管的分布变化。在减数分裂前期,小孢子母细胞中的微管较短,随机分散在细胞质中。在减数分裂中期,细胞质中微管形成纺锤体,控制染色体的分布。进入减数分裂I后期,部分纺锤体微管将两组染色体拉向两级。在减数分裂Ⅱ中期,细胞中的微管又形成两个纺锤体。在减数分裂Ⅱ后期,纺锤体微管解聚为微管蛋白分散在细胞质中。胞质分裂发生在四个细胞核形成之后,通过细胞核之间的质膜向内缢缩分隔四个细胞核,产生四个小孢子。     

朱顶红生殖细胞分裂过程中微管超微结构的变化

用透射电镜的方法,对朱顶红（Ａｍ ａｒｙｌｌｉｓｖｉｔｔａｔａ Ａｉｔ．）花粉管中生殖细胞的分裂过程中微管分布和结构形态变化进行了观察,获得如下主要的结果：有丝分裂前期,微管的数量较分裂前减少并变短,靠近细胞核分布。分裂前中期,微管出现于原来的核区并与染色体发生联系,形成着丝点微管。分裂中期,染色体排列于赤道面上形成赤道板,微管构成纺锤体。分裂后期,染色体分成两群,被缩短的着丝点微管拉向两极。在纺锤体两极的微管汇聚。后期的晚期,当极的微管尚未消失时,在赤道区域出现丰富的成膜体微管,在成膜体中央,细胞板前体物聚集。分裂末期,极微管和着丝点微管消失,成膜体微管在新形成的核膜和细胞板间扩展并穿过细胞板     

胡杨小孢子发生及微管骨架变化与异常研究

利用压片法和间接免疫荧光结合DAPI(4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole)染色法,对胡杨小孢子母细胞减数分裂过程中微管骨架变化和染色体行为进行观察研究。结果表明:（1）胡杨小胞子母细胞减数分裂进程中染色体行为正常,其中:偶线期可观察到单价体,中期Ⅰ会出现落后染色体,末期Ⅰ和末期Ⅱ的核仁呈现动态变化。（2）胡杨小孢子发生过程中细胞内微管骨架呈动态变化过程,其中:中期Ⅱ形成平行纺锤体以及三极纺锤体;末期Ⅱ未观察到典型的成膜体结构,同时型胞质分裂受子核间辐射微管系统调节,通过胞质向心收缩而发生,胞质分裂后形成四边形和四面体型四分体。（3）胡杨小孢子母细胞减数分裂过程中还存在各种异常细胞学现象,其中:中期Ⅱ平行纺锤体发生融合;中期Ⅱ 和后期Ⅱ孢母细胞两个纺锤体间的胞质会出现裂沟;四分体时期存在三分体和二分体,并产生天然2n花粉和连体花粉。     

小鼠孤雌胚早期发育过程中γ-微管蛋白的动态变化

微管蛋白是构成微管的主要蛋白,其中α、β亚单位形成异二聚体,而γ-微管蛋白在微管组装中起作用。为了研究小鼠早期孤雌胚中廿微管蛋白的动态变化,本实验采用了免疫荧光化学染色与激光共聚焦显微镜观察相结合的方法,在SrCl2激活的卵母细胞减数分裂以及早期孤雌胚有丝分裂过程中对γ-微管蛋白进行了定位观察。结果显示,SrCl2和细胞松弛素B（cytochalasin B,CB）诱导的第二次减数分裂中期（metaphase Ⅱ ofmeiosis,MII）小鼠卵母细胞恢复减数分裂,并且纺锤体始终与质膜平行,表明纺锤体旋转被抑制,但核分裂不受影响。减数分裂过程中γ-微管蛋白主要定位于中期纺锤体两极和后期分开的染色单体之间;孤雌活化两雌原核形成以后,γ-微管蛋白聚集在两雌原核周围。在早期孤雌胚有丝分裂间期无定形的γ-微管蛋白均匀分布于核;前中期γ-微管蛋白向两极移动,遍布于整个纺锤体区。有丝分裂中期、后期和末期廿微管蛋白的分布变化与减数分裂相似。结果表明,SrCl2和CB激活的MII卯母细胞产生杂合二倍体;γ-微管蛋白具有促微管负极帽形成和稳定微管的功能,从而促进纺锤体的形成;分裂后期和末期廿微管蛋白的重新分布可能是由纺锤体牵引同源染色体分离所诱导的：γ-微管蛋白负责两雌原核的迁移靠近。     

水稻雄性不育系珍汕97A小孢子发育过程中的微管骨架

水稻（Oryza sativaL.)雄性不育系珍汕97A,保持系珍汕97B和恢复系测64三系小孢子发生过程的研究表明;恢复系测64小孢子母细胞细胞质浓,有明显的微管荧光围绕着细胞核。小孢子母细胞经两次减数分裂形成四分体。四分体和小孢子的微管从细胞核表面向胞质周缘延伸,形成放射性排列格局,花粉发育正常。细胞质中有少量点状微管荧光,保持系珍汕97B小孢子发生过程的细胞形态和微管结构与恢复系测64相似。但细胞质中的点状微管荧光多一些。雄性不育系珍汕97A小孢子发生早期,小孢子母细胞内出现液泡,核中染色质凝集,微管荧光很弱,没有清晰的微管丝结构。细胞质中有许多点状微管荧光等不正常现象。小孢子母细胞经过减数分裂形成的四分体也没有清晰的丝状微管结构。随后,所有的小孢子迅速败育,雄性不育系珍汕97A在小孢子母细胞发生的很早时期,微管结构就明显不正常。     

水稻雄性不育系珍汕97A小孢子发育过程中的微管骨架

水稻(Oryza sativa L.)雄性不育系珍汕97A、保持系珍汕97B和恢复系测64三系小孢子发生过程的研究表明:恢复系测64小孢子母细胞细胞质浓,有明显的微管荧光围绕着细胞核.小孢子母细胞经两次减数分裂形成四分体.四分体和小孢子的微管从细胞核表面向胞质周缘延伸,形成放射性排列格局,花粉发育正常.细胞质中有少量点状微管荧光.保持系珍汕97B小孢子发生过程的细胞形态和微管结构与恢复系测64相似,但细胞质中的点状微管荧光多一些.雄性不育系珍汕97A小孢子发生早期,小孢子母细胞内出现液泡,核中染色质凝集,微管荧光很弱,没有清晰的微管丝结构,细胞质中有许多点状微管荧光等不正常现象.小孢子母细胞经过减数分裂形成的四分体也没有清晰的丝状微管结构.随后,所有的小孢子迅速败育.雄性不育系珍汕97A在小孢子母细胞发生的很早时期,微管结构就明显不正常.     

蚕豆(Vicia faba)有丝分裂和减数分裂过程中细胞板形成的细胞化学研究

本文以蚕豆(Vicia faba)的体细胞和花粉母细胞为材料,对细胞板形成过程进行了细胞学和细胞化学分析。有丝分裂的后期末或末期初,两组子染色体间的纺锤体区改组成成膜体。在成膜体内许多小颗粒在赤道面融合成细胞板。随成膜体的扩展细胞板横过细胞而最终形成。用PAS反应染色时,体细胞的成膜体显现粉红色,而细胞板呈现很强的多糖反应。体细胞中期的纺锤体被甲基绿-派洛宁染成鲜红色而与周围细胞质有明显区别。成膜体RNA很多,细胞板也含丰富的RNA。在减数分裂I的中期和后期纺锤体的形成是正常的,但在分裂末期不形成成膜体。早末期在纺锤体的赤道面上可以看到一种象似细胞板形成初期阶段的膜状结构。它只出现在纺锤体的赤道面上,但不能离心地扩展,并终于在第一次减数分裂末消失。这个结构对多糖和RNA呈负染色反应。作者认为,减数分裂I的细胞板不能完成其发育,至少部分地是由于没有多糖和RNA。在减数分裂Ⅱ的中期和后期形成纺锤体,但不出现成膜体。四个子核组成后,它们互相间再形成纺锤体,总共形成六个纺锤体。在每个纺锤体的赤道面上形成的细胞板对多糖和RNA呈现正的染色反应。本文对其他作者以前描述过的形成细胞板的小颗粒或小泡的化学本质,以及细胞板形成的机制做了简短的讨论。     

同一居群韭莲不同植株减数分裂行为差异的遗传分析

对韭莲(2n=48)小孢子母细胞减数分裂及小孢子发育进行研究。结果显示同一居群植株的减数分裂行为存在明显差异。多数韭莲植株小孢子母细胞减数分裂存在少量落后染色体、微核等现象,平均每株中具有异常分离行为的母细胞占14.02%,小孢子发育正常,但花粉无活力。并首次从减数分裂后期Ⅰ的特殊的细胞学形态证明韭莲是臂内倒位杂合体。而少数植株韭莲的小孢子母细胞减数分裂极其紊乱,后期Ⅰ出现多极分离、大量落后染色体,小孢子母细胞减数分裂总异常分离高达94.3%。四分孢子期多分孢子体高达73.4%。分析认为:前者减数分裂行为异常的原因主要由染色体结构变异所致,而后者的原因除染色体结构变异外,还可能与控制纺锤体形成的基因突变有关。     

黄蝉花生殖细胞有丝分裂期间微管的动态

用微管免疫荧光方法观察了黄蝉花生殖细胞在花粉管中进行有丝分裂时的微管动态。微管在不同分裂期的分布情形很不一样。当生殖细胞由花粉进入花粉管后,细胞便立刻开始分裂进入早前期,在这阶段微管以一个紧密微管网笼子形式存在生殖细胞内。之后,细胞进入中前期,在此阶段细胞核扩大,染色体变粗,而存在细胞内的微管网逐渐变为疏松散漫状,跟着细胞进入晚前期,而微管笼子则由网状变为纵向排列状。分裂进入早中期微管变细并呈波浪状,微管由笼子结构过渡到纺锤体结构。进入中期,纺锤体全部形成,在纺锤体内可以清楚地看到两种不同类型的微管束,一种附着在染色体上,而另一种则从一极延伸至另一极。跟着细胞进入早后期,在这一阶段姊妹染色体分开并分别移向两极,在赤道板位置微管明显减少。之后,细胞进入晚后期,姊妹染色体集中在两极,极端有新微管出现。在两个染色体团之间又汇集了许多类似成膜体微管的微管。细胞进入分裂末期,存在赤道板位置的微管又再次减少,而在中央部位则新形成一“成膜体联接区”,把两个新形成的精子连接着。     

苔藓植物孢子发生的研究进展

苔藓植物孢子发生的过程是一个复杂的形态建成的过程,在此过程中,孢子母细胞经过减数分裂的两次精确的核分裂以及细胞质分裂,形成单倍体的四分孢子,再经孢子壁的发育过程,形成成熟的孢子。本文重点介绍了苔藓植物孢子发生过程中细胞质裂片、质体及核的变化、微管系统及纺锤体、胞质分裂和孢子壁形成过程的特点及其研究进展。     

Microtubule organization during successive microsporogenesis in Allium cepa and simultaneous cytokinesis in Nicotiana tabacum

Microtubule cytoskeleton organization during microspore mother cell (MMC) meiosis in Allium cepa L. and microsporogenesis in Nicotiana tabacum L. was examined. The MMC microtubules (MTs) were short and well dispersed in the cytoplasm of both taxa. As the MMCs of both species entered metaphase of meiosis I, the MTs constructed a spindle that facilitated the chromosomes to orient in the meridian plane. At anaphase of meiosis I, the spindle MTs differentiated into two types: one MT type became short, pulled the chromosomes toward the two poles, and was designated as centromere MTs; the second type of MT connected the two poles, and was designated as pole MTs. In A. cepa, where successive cytokinesis was observed, pole MTs assumed a tubbish shape. Some new short MTs aggregated in the meridian plane and constricted to form a phragmoplast, which developed into a cell plate, divided the cytoplasm into two parts and produced a dyad. However, in tobacco, a phragmoplast was not generated in anaphase of meiosis I and II and cytokinesis did not occur. The spindle MTs depolymerized and reorganized the radial arrangement of MTs from the nucleate surface to the periplasm during anaphase. Following telophase of meiosis II, the cytoplasm produced centripetal furrows, which met in the center of the cell and divided it into four parts, serving as a form of cytokinesis. In this process, MTs appeared to bear no relationship to cytokinesis.     

Nuclear cytoplasmic domains,microtubules and organelles in microsporocytes of the slipper orchid Cypripedium californicum A. Gray dividing by simultaneous cytokinesis

Microsporocytes of the slipper orchidCypripedium californicum A. Gray divide simultaneously after second meiosis. The organization and apportionment of the cytoplasm throughout meiosis are functions of nuclear-based radial microtubule systems (RMSs) that define domains of cytoplasm - a single sporocyte domain before meiosis, dyad domains within the undivided cytoplasm after first meiosis, and four spore domains after second meiosis. Organelles migrate to the interface of dyad domains in the undivided cytoplasm after first meiotic division, and second meiotic division takes place simultaneously on both sides of the equatorial organelle band. Microtubules emanating from the telophase II nuclei interact to form columnar arrrays that interconnect all four nuclei, non-sister as well as sister. Cell plates are initiated in these columns of microtubules and expand centrifugally along the interface of opposing RMSs, coalescing in the center of the sporocyte and joining with the original sporocyte wall at the periphery to form the tetrad of microspores. Organelles are distributed into the spore domains in conjunction with RMSs. These data, demonstrating that cytokinesis in microsporogenesis can occur in the absence of both components of the typical cytokinetic apparatus (the preprophase band of microtubules which predicts the division site and the phragmoplast which controls cell-plate deposition), suggest that plant nuclei have an inherent ability to establish a domain of cytoplasm via radial microtubule systems and to regulate wall deposition independently of the more complex cytokinetic apparatus of vegetative cells.     

Dynamics of microtubular cytoskeleton in higher plant meiosis. VII. Mechanisms of the simultaneous cytokinesis

Rearrangements of microtubular cytoskeleton during telophase in pollen mother cells of some dicotyledon plants with the simultaneous cytokinesis during normal and abnormal meiosis were studied. At telophase I, a potentially functional phragmoplast forms between daughter nuclei, but no cell plate is present. During interkinesis, the phragmoplast plays the role of an interphase cytoskeleton array. Dynamics of microtubule reorganization in polar regions of the telophase spindle is discussed in addition to the role played by microtubule convergence centers in cytoskeleton rearrangements during meiosis.     

Polarity of spindle microtubules in Haemanthus endosperm

Structural polarities of mitotic spindle microtubules in the plant Haemanthus katherinae have been studied by lysing endosperm cells in solutions of neurotubulin under conditions that will decorate cellular microtubules with curved sheets of tubulin protofilaments. Microtubule polarity was observed at several positions in each cell by cutting serial thin sections perpendicular to the spindle axis. The majority of the microtubules present in a metaphase or anaphase half-spindle are oriented with their fast-growing or "plus" ends distal to the polar area. Near the polar ends of the spindle and up to about halfway between the kinetichores and the poles, the number of microtubules with opposite polarity is low: 8-20% in metaphase and 2-15% in anaphase cells. Direct examination of 10 kinetochore fibers shows that the majority of these microtubules, too, are oriented with their plus ends distal to the poles, as had been previously shown in animal cells. Sections from the region near the spindle equator reveal an increased fraction of microtubules with opposite polarity. Graphs of polarity vs. position along the spindle axis display a smooth transition from microtubules of one orientation near the first pole, through a region containing equal numbers of the two orientations, to a zone near the second pole where the opposite polarity predominates. We conclude that the spindle of endosperm cells is constructed from two sets of microtubules with opposite polarity that interdigitate near the spindle equator. The length of the zone of interdigitation shortens from metaphase through telophase, consistent with a model that states that during anaphase spindle elongation in Haemanthus, the interdigitating sets of microtubules are moved apart. We found no major changes in the distribution of microtubule polarity in the spindle interzone from anaphase to telophase when cells are engaged in phragmoplast formation. Therefore, the initiation and organization of new microtubules, thought to take place during phragmoplast assembly, must occur without significant alteration of the microtubule polarity distribution.     

Accessory phragmoplast corrects abnormal cytokinesis in wheat x rye hybrids

The compensation for phragmoplast dysfunction in the male meiosis of F1 wheat × rye hybrids was described. In pollen mother cells (PMCs), he transition from central spindle fibers (forming a solid bundle) to phragmoplast (hollow cylinder) was blocked. This blockage suppresses the centrifugal movement of the phragmoplast and cell-plate formation. As a result, cells become binucleate. Sometimes, two nuclei fuse and form one restitution nucleus. In PMCs of the wheat × rye F1 hybrid D-144 gp 06 year (T. aestivum n. 93-60 t 9 × S. cereale n. Saratovskaya 7) with this phenotype, an additional phragmoplast is formed at the late telophase. This occurs by a common mechanism for the development of the immobile phragmoplast in the meiosis in bicotyledons; new phragmoplasts arise as a result of microtubule polymerization starting from the spindle poles. The accessory phragmoplast facilitates a new cell plate assembly and achievement of cytokinesis.     

Chaotization of division spindle, phragmoplast, and telophase chromosome groups in wheat x wheatgrass F1 hybrids meiosis

The paper describes the phenomenon of disorganization of completely formed subcellular structures: division spindle, phragmoplast and chromosome telophase groups. These structures disintegrate into their elements (cytoskeletal fibers, chromosomes) that transform into chaotic system. Chaotization of cytoskeleton structures such as prophase spindle in mitosis or perinuclear ring in meiosis is a normal step of wild type plant cell division. Disintegration of division spindle and phragmoplast presumably indicate the abnormality of temporal regulation of cytoskeleton cycle during meiosis. Disintegration of telophase chromosome groups and the migration of the chromosomes backward to the equatorial area might mean the abnormal start of some prometaphase mechanisms, in particular, chromokinesins activation.     

Mitosis and microtubule organizational changes in isolated generative cells of Allemanda neriifolia

Summary The organizational changes of the microtubules of isolated generative cells of Allemanda neriifolia during division were followed using anti--tubulin and immunofluorescence microscopy. Generative cells were isolated from the pollen tubes after osmotic shock treatment. Immediately after isolation most of the cells remain either in early or late prophase. The shape of the cell changes from spindle to spheroidal. In early prophase the nuclear membrane of the cell appears intact and the cytoplasm full of reticulate microtubules of different shapes and thicknesses. Later, the nuclear membrane breaks up. After the nuclear membrane has broken up, the chromosomes scatter into the cytoplasm and mix with the microtubules. When cells enter metaphase, spindle microtubules form. Afterwards, in anaphase, sister chromatids separate and the spindle disappears. A new array of longitudinally oriented cage microtubules appears. As the cells enter early telophase, the cage microtubules disappear and an array of interpolar microtubules begins to form. Later, in some telophase cells the interpolar microtubules become highly elongated, but in others they soon disappear and become replaced by a thick band(s) (or sheet(s)) of microtubules in the midplane between the two clusters of chromosomes and the cell shape reverts back to spheroidal. In culture no phragmoplast junctions appear in any of the late telophase cells although they are present under the in situ condition (i.e. in pollen tubes).     

γ-Tubulin and microtubule organization during microsporogenesis in Ginkgo biloba

This is the first report on -tubulin and microtubule arrays during microsporogenesis in a gymnosperm. Meiosis in Ginkgo biloba is polyplastidic, as is typical of the spermatophyte clade, and microtubule arrays are organized at various sites during meiosis and cytokinesis. In early prophase, a cluster of -tubulin globules occurs in the central cytoplasm adjacent to the off-center nucleus. These globules diminish in size and spread over the surface of the nucleus. A system of microtubules focused on the -tubulin forms a reticulate pattern in the cytoplasm. As the nucleus migrates to the center of the microsporocyte, -tubulin becomes concentrated at several sites adjacent to the nuclear envelope. Microtubules organized at these foci of -tubulin give rise to a multipolar prophase spindle. By metaphase I, the spindle has matured into a distinctly bipolar structure with pointed poles. In both first and second meiosis, -tubulin becomes distributed throughout the metaphase spindles, but becomes distinctly polar again in anaphase. In telophase I, -tubulin moves from polar regions to the proximal surface of chromosome groups/nuclei where interzonal microtubules are organized. No cell wall is deposited and the interzonal microtubules embrace a plate of organelles between the two nuclear cytoplasmic domains (NCDs) of the dyad. Following second meiosis, phragmoplasts that form between sister and non-sister nuclei fuse to form a complex six-sided structure that directs simultaneous cytokinesis. -Tubulin becomes associated with nuclei after both meiotic divisions and is especially conspicuous in the distal hemisphere of each young microspore where an unusual encircling system of cortical microtubules develops.     

Confocal Microscopic Observations on Microtubular Cytoskeleton Changes During Megasporogenesis and Megagametogenesis in Phaius tankervilliae (Aiton) Bl.

In nun orchid (Phaius tankervilliae (Alton) B1. ) embryo sac development follows the monosporic pattern. Changes in the pattern of organization of the microtubular cytoskeleton during megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis in this orchid were studied using the immunofluorescence technique and eonfocal microscopy. At the initial stage of development the microtubules in the arehesporium were randomly oriented into a network. Later the archesporial cell elongated to form the megasporocyte. The cytoskeleton in the elongated megasporoeyte was radially organized in which microtubules extending from the nuclear envelope to the peripheral region of the cell. The megasporoeyte then underwent meiosis 1 to form a dyad. The dyad cell at the chalazal end was larger than the cell at the micropylar end. Microtubules in the dyad cell were radially oriented. The dyad underwent meiosis to give rise to a linear array of four megaspores (i. e. tetrad formation). The chalazal-far most megaspore survived and became the functional megaspore, which contained a set of randomly oriented microtubules. The microtubules in the other 3 megaspore disappeared as the cells degenerated. The functional megaspore then underwent mitotic division giveing rise to a 2 nucleate embryo sac. The nuclei of the 2-nucleate embryo sac were separated by a set of longitudinally oriented microtubules which ran parallel to the long axis of the embryo sac. Each nucleus in the embryo sac was surrounded by a set of perinuelear microtubules. The gnucleate embryo sac again underwent mitotic division to form a 4-nucleate embryo sac. The division of the two nuclei was synchronous. But the orientation of the division plan of the two spindles was different (i. e. the spindle microtubules at the chalazal end ran parallel with the long axis of the embryo sac and those at the mieropylar end ran at right angle to the axis of the embryo sac). The 4 nuclei of the 4-nucleate embryo sac were all tightly surrounded by randomly oriented microtubules. Later the paired nuclei at the micropylr end and at the chalazal end as well underwent mitotic division in seguence. At this time when the embryo sac had reached the 8-nucleate embryo sac stage. The pattern of organization of the microtubules was very complex. Initially the nuclei were surrounded by a set of randomly oriented microtubules, but after the two polar nuclei had moved to the central region of the embryo sac, three different organizational zones of microtubules appeared, viz: a randomly oriented set of microtubules surrounding each nucleus in the chalazal zone: a set (in the form of a basket) of cortical microtubules which surrounded the vacuoles and the two polar nuclei in the central zone and a loosely knitted network of microtubules surrounding the nucleus that later became the egg cell nucleus in the micropylar zone. The two nuclei that would become the nuclei of the synergids were surrounded by a set of more densely packed mierotubules. Towards far the most micropylar end some microtubules formed thick bundles. The site of appearance of these thick bundles coincided with the site of development of the filiform apparatus. The pattern of microtubule organization after cellularization (i. e. at the beginning of embryo sac maturation) did not change much. The author's results indicated that various patterns of microtubule organization observed in the developing embryo sac of nun orchid reflected the complexity and dynamism of the embryo sac.     

Division polarity and plasticity of the meiosis I spindle inCypripedium californicum (Orchidaceae)

Summary Establishment of division polarity and meiotic spindle organization in the lady's slipper orchidCypripedium californicum A. Gray was studied by immunocytochemistry, confocal and transmission electron microscopy. Prior to organization of the spindle for meiosis I, the cytoplasmic domains of the future dyad and spindle polarity are marked by: (1) constriction of the prophase nucleus into an hourglass shape; (2) reorganization of nuclear-based radial microtubules into two arrays that intersect at the constriction; and (3) redistribution of organelles into a ring at the boundary of the newly defined dyad domains. It is not certain whether the opposing microtubule arrays contribute directly to the anastral spindle which is organized in the perinuclear areas of the two hemispheres. By late prophase each half-spindle consists of a spline-like structure from which depart the kinetochore fibers. This peculiar spindle closely resembles the spline-like spindle of generative-cell mitosis in certain plants where the spindle is distorted by physical constraints of the slender pollen tube. In the microsporocyte, the elongate spindle of late prophase/metaphase is curved within the cell so that the poles are not actually opposite each other and chromosomes do not form a plate at the equator. By late telophase the poles of the shortened halfspindles lie opposite each other. Plasticity of the physically constrained plant spindle appears to be due to its construction from multiple units terminating in minipoles. Cytokinesis does not follow the first meiosis. However, the dyad domains are clearly defined by radial microtubules emanating from the two daughter nuclei and the domains themselves are separated by a disc-like band of organelles.