A model for population regulation with density- and frequency-dependent selection

The life-cycle of a species with separate generations is divided into a reproduction phase and a growing-up phase. In the reproduction phase we assume random mating and selection due to genotype differences in fecundity of the parents and viability of the offspring. During the growing-up phase we assume a (deterministic) death process in continuous time with death rates for the genotypes which increase linearly with the genotype population sizes.In the absence of genotype differences the model gives logistic population regulation. With genotype differences the model generalizes the usual separate generations selection patterns. In addition to these we exhibit cases with three polymorphic equilibria or with a stable cycle.     

Ultrastructure of cell wall and thylakoid membranes of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus lividus under the influence of temperature shifts

The ultrastructure of the cell wall and the thylakoid membranes of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus lividus was studied by freezefracture electron microscopy after temperature shifts. Different fracture faces of the outer, the cytoplasmic and the thylakoid membranes were demonstrated when the preparation-temperature was in the range of the optimal growth temperature at 52°C or after fixation at 52°C. In the outer membrane of the cell wall two fracture faces with holes and 7.5 nm intramembrane particles were detected. On both the outer (EF) and inner (PF) leaflet of the cytoplasmic membrane randomly distributed particles were demonstrated. The particle density on the PF-face was approx. three times that of the EF-face. The EF-face of the thylakoid membrane exposed rows of particles with an average diameter of 10 nm. The spacing between the particle rows was 35–50 nm. This regular particle arrangement on the EF-face was demonstrated only in a few cases. Mostly the intramembrane particles were distributed randomly on the thylakoid fracture faces. The particle density of thylakoids with a random distribution was approx. in the same range both on the EF-and PF-face. The EF-particles fall into four groups of 9,10,11, and 12.5 nm. The main particle class was the 10 nm class. The PF-face exposed smaller particles with two maxima at 8.5–9 nm and 10 nm. When Synechococcus lividus OH-53s was chilled to temperatures below 30–35°C before the freeze-etch preparation a phase transition took place after the temperature shift. On the fracture faces of the thylakoid and cytoplasmic membranes particle depleted areas occurred. The size of the areas were different in both membranes and dependent on the velocity of cooling. Contrary to Synechococcus lividus OH-53s in the mesophilic Synechococcus strain 6910 the phase transition point was 15°C. The lower phase transition point may be due to a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids.Dedicated to Prof. D. Peters (Hamburg) on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of his birthday     

Characterization of the cytoplasmic fibrils of Treponema refringens (Nichols)

The cytoplasmic fibrils of Treponema refringens were studied in situ by electron microscopy of thin sectioned and negatively stained cells. From 5 to 21 parallel fibrils ran through the cell in a band adjacent to the inner side of the cytoplasmic membrane, on the inner sides of the curves of the spirochete. The nuclear areas of cells were adjacent to the fibrils. Cross sections of fibrils isolated from cells which had been lysed were polygonal and not uniformly electron dense. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of partially purified fibril preparations indicated their main component to be a protein with a molecular weight of 97,000. Fibrils were solubilized by 1% trypsin, 1% pronase, 6 M urea, 1 N HCl, 0.005 N NaOH or 1.3% sodium dodecyl sulfate. By electron microscopy of negatively stained isolated fibrils, each fibril was found to be a complex arrangement of strands rather than a single tubule.Abbreviations CM Cytoplasmic membrane - PTA Phosphotungstic acid - UOx Uranyl oxalate - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate This communication is Journal Acticle No. 7644 from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station     

The genusGeitleria (Cyanophyceae orCyanobacteria): Distribution ofG. calcarea andG. floridana n. sp.

The calcifying cave inhabitant atmophytic blue-green algaGeitleria calcarea is reported from new localities in Florida and in the Cook Islands.—G. floridana n. sp., is described from caves in Florida. The calcified sheath has the shape of a quadratic prism and is built of crystalline acicular subunits about 0.1 µm in diameter. The subunits mostly form a rhombic lattice pattern but in some cases, they are not distinguishable and then the surface of the sheath is smooth.This paper is dedicated with gratitude to my former teacher, Prof. Dr.Lothar Geitler, for his 80th birthday.     

Studies on a Morphologically Distinct Colchicine-Resistant Variant of Entamoeba sp.*

Colchicine has a temperature-dependent cytotoxic effect on Entamoeba sp. (Laredo isolate) that is most apparent when the drug is applied during the initiation of cultures at a concentration of 7.5 mM or higher. Continued transfer of cultures in medium containing progressively increasing concentrations of colchicine has resulted in a variant that grows prolifically in the presence of colchicine (7.5 mM) with a generation time comparable to that of the parent stock. Comparison of a number of parameters of the 2 variants revealed that colchicine resistance was accompanied by a change in cell shape, a reduced membrane permeability, which could partially be overcome by the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and a reduced tolerance to osmotic stress. However, the parent strain and resistant variant were equally susceptible to cycloheximide and puromycin suggesting that the acquired colchicine resistance may not be explained on the basis of an entirely unspecific generalized reduced ability for drug uptake. Colchicine resistance and altered structure were found to be stable over a long period of time. The possible interdependence of these 2 parameters and their relation to cell motility in Entamoeba sp. are discussed.     

Localisation of thiamine pyrophosphatase within the cytoplasmic fine structure of trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica and E. invadens

McCaul T.F. and Bird R.G. 1978. Localisation of thiamine pyrophosphatase within the cytoplasmic fine structure of trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica and E. invadens. International Journal for Parasitology8: 501–506. The distribution of thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) activity was studied in both formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde fixed trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica and E. invadens. The activity was localised within certain vacuoles. No dense deposits for TPPase activity were seen in the small vesicles, elongated smooth-walled lacunae equated with endoplasmic reticulum, or the nucleus. The demonstration of small vesicles surrounding the larger vacuoles indicated that the Golgi-like vacuoles might be involved in the production of cell coat materials and primary lysosomes.     

Effect of cations on the structure of mung bean cytoplasmic ribosomes

The importance of the absolute and relative concentrations of monovalent and divalent cations and centrifugal speed (pressure) in the dissociation of mung bean 80S ribosomes has been examined. In the absence of Mg²⁺ ions, ribosome monomers yield 47S and 34S particles. Fixation with glutaraldehyde, however, indicates that this dissociation pattern is largely dependent upon high pressures developed during centrifugation and that in the absence of such artifacts the immediate product of Mg-free conditions is a 74S particle. Since 74S particles rapidly revert to the 80S form when Mg is replaced, this would appear to be a conformational change. Ribosomes were also dissociated in the presence of Mg²⁺ ions if the K⁺ ion concentration was raised. Three major particles were produced, 38S and 49S from the small ribosomal sub-unit and 60S from the large sub-unit. A proportion of the 80S monomer population is more resistant to dissociation. Experiments with puromycin indicate that the more resistant fraction probably represents ribosomes completed with nascent polypeptide resulting from polysome breakdown.     

Relationship of body composition to somatotype.

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship in college-aged women between somatotype using both Sheldon's ('69) and Heath and Carter's ('67) procedures, and body composition, as measured by whole-body 40K counting and body density. Sheldon's endomorphy is closely associated with height and weight; Heath and Carter's first component is significantly related to weight and body fatness. Lean body mass (LBM) as a weight or as a percent is not closely related to Sheldon's mesomorphy or Heath and Carter's second component. However, when LBM and height are used as independent variables to estimate somatotype, both variables are significantly related to Heath and Carter's second component, accounting for 61% of the variance. Thus Heath and Carter's second component is significantly associated with LBM for a given body height. Most of the variation in Sheldon's ectomorphy and Heath and Carter's third component can be accounted for by weight and height. Sheldon's somatotype for all three components is not as closely related to body composition as Heath-Carter's. Body composition, as measured by either 40K counting or body density, is found to be important in accounting for variation in Heath and Carter's first and second components.     

The fine structure of Micrococcus radiophilus and Micrococcus radioproteolyticus

The radiation resistant bacteria Micrococcus radiophilus and M. radioproteolyticus were studied by thin sectioning and freeze-etching techniques and the two species were found to be similar in the fine structure. The only significant difference was in the appearance of the surfaces of the cell walls in freeze-etched preparations.Since the two species, together with M. radiodurans, possess a unique cell wall structure and a cell wall peptidoglycan, which is different from that of other micrococci and Gram-positive cocci, it is recommended that they be reclassified into a new genus.