A light microscopic study of nuclear and cytoplasmic size of the aggregate acidophil population in the hypophysis cerebri,pars distalis,of adult male mule deer,Odocoileus hemionus hemionus,relative to seasons of the photoperiod and antler cycles

Summary Nuclear and cytoplasmic size (²) of acidophils in the pars distalis of adult male deer were measured and the data analyzed statistically with reference to the four classical seasons of the photoperiodic cycle and five periods and two events of the antler cycle. The seasons, and the respective mean cross-sectional areas of cell nuclei and cytoplasm, are: Spring (21 March–20 June; increasing photoperiod greater than 12 hours), 28.45 and 48.68 ²; Summer (21 June–20 September; decreasing photoperiod greater than 12 hours), 27.81 and 44.25 ²; Fall (21 September–20 December; decreasing photoperiod less than 12 hours), 30.40 and 45.07 ²; Winter (21 December–20 March; increasing photoperiod less than 12 hours) 27.28 and 40.30 ². Beginning in late winter and early spring the components of the antler cycle, and the respective cross-sectional areas of cell nuclei and cytoplasm, are: Initial Antler Growth, 28.08 and 38.58 ²; Growth of Velvet Antler Form, 28.93 and 50.61 ², Antlers Hardening, 27.53 and 40.83 ²; Velvet Shedding, 29.03 and 53.20 ²; Rutting Season, 29.95 and 44.97 ²; Preparation for Shedding, 26.50 and 40.38 ²; Antlers Recently Shed, 27.53 and 47.85 ². Shedding of boney antlers, growth of velvet antlers and increases in nuclear and cytoplasmic areas of acidophil cells in the pars distalis occur when the photoperiod is increasing. Construction and retention of hard antlers occur when photoperiod is decreasing. This lessening of day length appears to influence the gonadotrophs that regulate secretion of testosterone.A part of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy, Anatomy, Colorado State University. Specimens were contributed by Colorado Federal Aid Project W-105-R, Colorado Division of Game, Fish and Parks, Game Research Center, Fort Collins and investigations of them was supported by grant T1-DE130 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A.NIDR Predoctoral Trainee.     

Life cycle of Porphyra vietnamensis Tanaka & Pham-Hoang Ho from Thailand

Porphyra vietnamensis Tanaka & Pham-Hoang Ho is a tropical species of high potential for farming. Studies of the life cycle have been conducted for many years but have not been successful until recently. Mature thalli were collected from Songkhla, in the southern part of Thailand, and were used to obtain Conchocelis in the laboratory in Bangkok. Conchocelis in shells as well as free-floating filaments could be observed after one week of incubation at 25 °C, 25 salinity and 350–500 lux light intensity, and covered the culture shell surface within 2 months. Conchosporangia were formed after being incubated for 10 days at 30 °C, 20 salinity under light intensities of 350–500 lux with a photoperiod of 12 hours a day. Induction of conchospore release was achieved by lowering the temperature to 25 °C and the salinity to 10–15 and increasing the light intensity to 800–1000 lux. Liberated conchospores germinated into young thalli which became mature after 70 days.     

Pineal melatonin rhythms in the lizardAnolis carolinensis: effects of light and temperature cycles

Summary Pineal and ocular melatonin was assessed, over 24 h periods, in male lizards (Anolis carolinensis) entrained to 24 h light-dark (LD) cycles and a constant 32 C, and in lizards entrained to both 24 h LD cycles and 24 h temperature cycles (32 C/20 C). At a constant temperature, the duration of the photoperiod has a profound effect on the duration, amplitude, and phase of the pineal melatonin rhythm (Fig. 1). The pineal melatonin rhythm under cyclic temperature peaks during the cool (20 C) phase of the cycle regardless of whether or not the cool phase occurs during the light or dark phase of a LD 1212 cycle (Fig. 3). Under a temperature cycle and constant dim illumination, a pineal melatonin rhythm is observed which peaks during the cool phase of the temperature cycle, but the amplitude of the rhythm is depressed relative to that observed under LD (Fig. 2). Illumination up to 2 h in duration does not suppress the nocturnal melatonin peak in theAnolis pineal (Fig. 4). No melatonin rhythm was observed in the eyes ofAnolis under either 24 h LD cycles and a constant temperature (Fig. 1), or under simultaneous light and temperature cycles (Fig. 3). Ocular melatonin content was, in all cases, either very low or non-detectable.Abbreviations HIOMT hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase - NAT N-acetyltransferase     

We Do Not Dream of the 3 R's: Implications for the Nature of Dreaming Mentation

This report examines the extent to which dream recall involves the 3 R's (reading, writing, and arithmetic). Two separate studies were done. In the first study, two scorers rated, on a blind basis, a total of 456 written dream reports, available from five previous studies. There was perfect agreement between the two scorers. They agreed that there were no instances of reading, no instances of writing, and one instance of probable calculating in the 456 dreams. The second study was a questionnaire survey. Complete responses were obtained from 240 frequent dreamers (who reported remembering a mean of seven dreams per week). The study examined in two ways the frequency of the 3 R's in their recalled dreams. First, in answer to direct questions as to how frequently they dreamt about each activity, roughly 90% of the respondents reported that they never or hardly ever dreamt about each of four activities: reading, writing, typing, and calculating. In answers to other questions, this group reported spending a mean of six hours per day engaged in these activities. Second, responses as to the relative prominence of six activities (walking, writing, talking with friends, reading, sexual activity, typing) in dreaming versus waking produced two clear groupings of activities. Walking, talking with friends, and sexual activity were each rated almost as prominent in dreaming as in waking whereas the second group consisting of writing, reading, and typing were rated as far more prominent in waking than in dreaming. The two activity groups differed at p < .0001. Thus, the 3 R's appear to occur very infrequently in dreams. These findings are placed in a theoretical frame which suggests that dreaming (compared to waking) deals very little with serial activities characterized by input—rapid-processing—output in which the neural nets function in a feed-forward mode. Rather, dreaming may be characterized by relatively broad or loose connection making in which the nets function more in an autoassociative mode.     

Zum Mechanismus der biologischen 24-Stunden-Periodik

Summary Using the physical and mathematical basis given in two foregoing papers, a differential equation is proposed for a model of the biological 24-hour-periodicity. This oscillation equation contains two characteristic non-linearities describing the self-sustaining property and the circadian rule. The right side of the equation (external force) represents the controlling environmental conditions, mainly the intensity of illumination. Solutions were obtained for different environmental conditions using a digital computer.Under constant conditions the solution of the equation describes oscillations self-sustained within a certain range of environmental conditions. In this range the oscillations fulfil the circadian rule, e.g. for light-active organisms: The frequency and the mean value of the oscillation increase with increasing light intensity; with an additional (arbitrary) threshold separating activity time and rest time for describing an activity rhythm, the (activity time rest time) ratio and the total amount of activity also increase.Under periodically changing environmental conditions five properties of the Zeitgeber used (two distinct intensities with twilight transitions) are variable and varied: The range of oscillation of the Zeitgeber, its frequency, its mean value, its L D ratio (time relation of light time and dark time), and the duration of the twilights. The most important of the examined properties was the phase angle difference between the (forced) oscillation and the (forcing) Zeitgeber. The general result for light-active organisms was: The phase of the oscillation advances relative to the Zeitgeber (in sofar as the oscillation is synchronized) if the period of the Zeitgeber, or its mean value, or its LD ratio, or the duration of the twilights increase. In dark-active organisms, the relation between phase angle difference and the mean value or the LD ratio is reversed. Exceptions to this general rule exist in the relation between phase angle difference and L D ratio if the free running period of the oscillation deviates too much from the period of a weak Zeitgeber (mainly in dark-active organisms) or if the duration of the twilights is too short (especially if the transitions are rectangular).Single exposures to light (or darkness) during constant conditions result in phase shifts depending in direction and amount on the phase of the oscillation at which the disturbance occured. The resulting response curves depend in range and form on the one hand on the time of measuring the phase shifts (either immediately or after several periods — in the steady state — following the disturbance) and, on the other hand, on the intensity of the initial illumination, on the duration, and on the intensity of the exposures, each in a different manner. Moreover, response curves effective in LD conditions deviate from those measured under constant conditions; the reason being the difference in the energy state of the oscillations in the two conditions. Therefore, it is impossible to derive the phase angle difference between the oscillation and a Zeitgeber in self-sustained oscillations from the measurement of response curves alone.The oscillation equation used contains only one free parameter, the frequency coefficient. If this coefficient is changed, the equation describes other biological rhythms. For instance, with a high value it describes the behaviour of single nerve cells, and that not only in cases of spontaneous rhythmicity (e.g. receptor cells) but also in cases of reactions to single or rhythmic stimuli. Moreover, the derived characteristics of the equation — especially the non-linearities — seem to be significant for other biological problems such as control mechanisms.     

CO2 exchange under varying light intensities in some under- and overtemperature subtropical tree species

CO₂ exchange, transpiration and stomatal conductance of 39 subtropical tree species were studied under five light intensities at around atmospheric air temperatures found in subtropics during the active growth period of these species. Photosynthesis rates under different light intensities were strongly dependent on leaf to air temperature differences (T). Based on T, 39 species fell in two distinct categories namely, undertemperature and overtemperature. Majority of the species in the former group were found to have relatively higher rate of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration as well as water use efficiency. These species also showed higher light saturation for photosynthesis. The significance of the results is discussed in terms of adaptive potential in the two types of species.     

An increase in the “inhibitor-β” content of detached wheat leaves following a period of wilting

Summary Wheat seedlings were grown under a 14-hour photoperiod and the first leaves excised at the end of the eighth dark period. The effect of treatments causing wilting on the inhibitor- content of such leaves was studied.When leaves were rapidly wilted (i.e. to a 6% fresh weight loss) and extracted immediately, the amount of inhibitor- per leaf was found to be the same as in fresh turgid leaves. However, when the leaves were maintained in a wilted condition in darkness for a period of 110 minutes, there was a marked increase in inhibitor- content.The greater the degree of wilting (i.e. up to about a 9% loss in fresh weight) the greater the eventual inhibitor- content. Moreover, the increment in inhibitor- was shown to be temperature dependent.The time lapse requirement and the temperature dependency of the inhibitor- formation suggest an enzymic conversion from a precursor.If a similar phenomenon occurs during the wilting of intact plants then the increase in this growth inhibitor might play a role in some of the physiological changes which accompany water stress.     

Gibberellic acid and the light inhibition of stem elongation

Summary The ability of gibberellic acid (GA₃) to prevent the light inhibition of stem elongation in peas was examined for several varieties under a wide range of irradiation conditions.A saturating dose of GA₃ largely prevented the inhibitory effect of red light on total stem height in Duke of Albany (tall), Alaska (medium) and Meteor (dwarf) although a small, but statistically significant, effect persisted in all varieties after 3 days of light. The growth of the second internode was, however, markedly inhibited by red light even with a saturating dose of GA₃. With gibberellin there was no difference between the effects of continuous red light and 15 minutes per day on height but the second internode was much shorter in the former treatment. The number of internodes present was the same in both cases and, therefore, the upper internodes in continuous light were as long or longer than in the 15-minute treatment. The number of internodes was only slightly fewer in darkness than in light so that, with GA₃, the effect of red light was transient and only the growth of the lower internodes was inhibited. Without GA₃ overall height was less in both red light treatments than in darkness for all three varieties.In blue light, on the other hand, there was no difference depending on whether height or internode length is considered, and even with a saturating dose of GA₃ the growth rate remained depressed in continuous blue light. There was, however, some interaction between blue light and GA₃.Red/far-red reversal experiments showed that in the varieties Alska and Duke of Albany the far-red stimulation of elongation persisted in the presence of a saturating dose of GA₃ while for the dwarf variety Meteor there was a significant interaction between far-red and GA₃.At least a quantitative difference was found between tall and dwarf peas in their response to light. Tall varieties showed a much greater effect of a prolonged exposure to blue and a smaller effect of a short exposure to red than dwarf varieties. Increasing the duration of exposure to red increasingly inhibited the growth of tall varieties. The medium variety Alaska grew to approximately the same height in continuous red and blue light.     

Effects of light quantity and quality during development on the morphology and stomatal physiology of Commelina communis

Summary The effects on plant growth and stomatal physiology of alterations in light quantity and quality during development were investigated in the C₃ monocot, Commelina communis. Reduction in light intensity resulted in decreased branching and stem elongation, with effects more severe under neutral shade (R:FR1.0) than under leaf shade (R:FR0.4) conditions. Shade treatments had no effect on the leaf area or stomatal density of newly expanded leaves. Gas exchange measurements on leaves that had expanded under the different treatments indicated that a reduction in light intensity decreased the magnitude and slowed the kinetics of stomatal responses to pulses of blue light, particularly in plants from the neutral shade treatment. These results indicate that the specific stomatal response to blue light is plastic, and is modulated by the light environment prevailing during leaf development.     

Effects of high ambient temperatures on the metabolism of West African dwarf goats. I

Thirty-two West African dwarf goats were exposed to temperature treatments: 20, 25, 30, 35, 35, 35, 30, 25, 20°C each lasting three days.Sixteen goats were kept in individual pens (I), the others in two group pens (G). Heat production (HP) and activity were recorded during 48 hours in each temperature treatment.Mean HP and ME intake were similar for G and I animals, but I animals had lower values than G animals at low chamber temperatures and higher values than G animals at high temperatures. Upper critical temperature was between 25°C and 30°C under an increasing T and between 30 and 35°C under a decreasing T. Adaptation of heat production and ME intake to a change in temperature of 5°C required at least six and possibly more than nine days.Diurnal variation in HP was large, up to 44% between extremes. This was largely due to variation in activity.     

Alternative morphs and plasticity of vulval development in a rhabditid nematode species

The nematode species Rhabditis sp. SB347 (Family Rhabditidae) in standard culture conditions displays two developmental morphs with distinct modes of sexual reproduction: (1) females and males that develop through four feeding juvenile (larval) stages; (2) self-fertile protandric hermaphrodites that develop through an obligatory non-feeding third juvenile stage, the dauer larva. In females and males, somatic gonad development begins in the first larval stage, whereas in hermaphrodites it is delayed to the second larval stage. Vulval development also differs between females and hermaphrodites: (1) the P8.p cell divides in females but stays undivided in hermaphrodites; (2) the number, timing, and source of inductive signals from the gonad to the vulval precursor cells differ between the two morphs. These results show that discrete vulva developmental routes can be adopted by animals of the same genotype.Edited by D. Tautz     

Effect of external factors on gonadal activity and body mass of male golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Summary Effects of photoperiod, temperature and food and water availability on body and testicular mass of golden hamsters were investigated. Lack of water or food inhibited body growth. Short photoperiod (LD 8:16) enhanced boyd growth in males fed poor diet but it had no effect in animals on high quality diet. Cold exposure diminished body growth in animals with access to water but not in those deprived of water. It is suggested that lowered motor activity is mainly responsible for body mass gain of animals kept under the short photoperiod.All stressful factors (water deprivation, poor diet or cold) induced involution of testes. The time course of testicular involution was similar to that induced by short photoperiod. Testicular involution was, after several weeks, followed by spontaneous recrudescence. Combination of stressful external cues speeded up testicular involution. Since the testicular involution induced by water deprivation, poor diet and cold also occurred in animals kept in constant light or under long photoperiod (which are known to produce functional pinealectomy) it is concluded that the inhibitory effects of stressful external factors on testes are not mediated by the pineal.The decrease in testosterone production induced by external cues precedes changes in testicular mass. In individuals kept in the cold, testosterone production remains low, in spite of spontaneous recrudescence of the testes. No simple relationship between testosterone concentration in the blood and testicular mass was observed.The mass of the interscapular brown adipose tissue (ISBAT) changes strikingly during the hibernation cycle. Immediately after exposure to cold it decreases and stays at the low level for 40 days. Than it increases markedly and reaches maximum after 90 days, when hibernation progresses. During the hibernation season the mass of the ISBAT decreases. Constant darkness enhances the cold-induced growth of the ISBAT only at the beginning of the hibernation season.     

Ultrastructure of the pituitary gland (pars distalis) in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) during gonad maturation

Summary The fine structure of the various hormone-producing cell types (with the exclusion of the prolactin cells) in the pituitary gland (pars distalis) of migratory sockeye salmon is described. All fish were in an advanced stage of sexual maturation. In the proximal pars distalis five cell types were distinguished: growth hormone cells, ACTH cells, gonadotrops, vesicular cells, and chromophobe cells. Gonadotrops were also found throughout the rostral pars distalis. A conspicuous feature of the gonadotrops was the presence of two kinds of secretory inclusions: small electron-dense granules (200–375 m) and large, relatively electron-translucent globules (400–2 000 m). The large vesicular cells, so called because of their conspicuous vesicular endoplasmic reticulum, were numerous and often appeared to contain some small granules. It is argued that they may represent a second type of gonadotropic cell, which, in earlier stages of gonad development, contains many granules but becomes largely degranulated near the time of reproduction when the other gonadotrops (globular gonadotrops) abound. The chromophobes, which were smaller and far less abundant than the vesicular cells, also appeared to contain small granules (120–280 m). They are probably thyrotrops.The assistance of Mr. S. Killick, of the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission, who helped in the collection of salmon, is gratefully acknowledged.     

Rhizogenesis in stem discs of Malus pumila rootstock M9 “Jork”: I. Hormonal and environmental effects on root induction and callus formation

To establish a protocol suited for the molecular characterization of root induction the influences of explant position, etiolation state and orientation as well as temperature and light intensity on root and callus formation were investigated. Depending on these factors stem discs of Malus incubated on indole-3-butyric acid containing medium and subsequently on hormone-free medium regenerated roots and callus of filamentous and smooth texture to a varying extent. Concentration and incubation duration of indole-3butyric acid strongly affected rooting and the production of smooth callus. Moreover smooth callus was profuse at the low light levels applied during rooting. Rooting efficiency decreased and filamentous callus increased between 19°C and 25°C. Explants close to the shoot apex displayed reduced rooting efficiency and profuse filamentous callus. There was a strong effect of explant orientation on root and filamentous callus formation.Abbrevations IBA indole-3-butyric acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - BA 6-benzylaminopurine - MS Murashigeand Skoog - rts roots - rt rooted - rtd rooted discs     

Measurement of day-length as a basis for photoperiodism and annual periodicity in the Carabid beetle Pterostichus nigrita F.

Summary Pterostichus nigrita undergoes a gonad dormancy which is overcome by the sequence of short-day/long-day in females and by short-day in males. Experiments with abnormal photoperiods showed that only photoperiods of 24 h and their multiples in whole numbers allowed the processes of gonad maturation, which are normally bound to short-day (i.e., previtellogenesis in the females, bundling of sperms to spermiozeugmata in the males). They were mostly suppressed by photoperiods which represent uneven multiples of 12 h (12, 36, 60). These results permit the conclusion that the short-day measurement is based on an oscillatory (circadian) process. Experiments with dark breaks in an extreme long-day (LD 20:4) resulted in two peaks of short-day effects. From these findings a model of short-day measurement was derived. It postulates that there are two dark sensitive phases every 24 h during which the beetles require darkness in order for the short-day processes to occur. One of these phases is set by dawn, reaching its peak 15 h thereafter. The other phase is set by dusk and reaches its maximum about 7 h afterwards. Thus, the steps of gonad development bound to short-day are induced if the night is at least about 8–9 h long. The two scotophile phases represent two systems of short-day measurement, which complement each other and strengthen their effects.Light break experiments revealed that the long-day process of ovarian development (vitellogenesis in the females) is induced if light falls into a photosensitive phase during the second half of the day with its maximum about 15 h after light on.Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Schwerpunktprogramm: Biologie der Zeitmessung)     

Comparative residual toxicities of pesticides to the predator Agistemus industani (Acari: Stigmaeidae) on citrus in Florida

Residual toxicities of registered and selected experimental pesticides used on citrus against Agistemus industani Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae) were compared. Pesticides considered highly toxic to A. industani were: abamectin 0.15 EC at 731ml/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, pyridaben 75WP at 469g/ha, ethion 4EC at 7.01l/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, propargite 6.55 EC at 3.51l/ha, chlorfenapyr 2SC at 1.46l/ha applied alone or in combination with FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, sulphur 80DF at 16.81kg/ha, dicofol 4EC at 7.01l/ha, fenbutatin oxide 50WP at 2.24kg/ha, benomyl 50WP at 2.24kg/ha, benomyl 50WP at 1.68kg/ha+ferbam 76 GF at 5.60kg/ha, ferbam 76GF at 11.21kg/ha, neem oil 90EC at 46.8l/ha, and copper hydroxide DF (40% metallic copper) at 4.48kg metallic copper/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha. Pesticides that were moderately to slightly toxic included: copper sulphate 98% at 4.48kg metallic copper/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, fenbuconazole 2F at 280ml/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, FC 435-66 petroleum oil applied alone at 46.8l/ha or 23.4l/ha, and diflubenzuron 25WP at 1.40kg/ha. Pesticides that were non-toxic included: fenbuconazole 2F at 585ml/ha, malathion 57EC at 5.85l/ha, FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, carbaryl 80S at 3.36kg/ha, chlorpyrifos 4EC at 4.68l/ha, and formetanate 92SP at 1.12kg/ha. Understanding the toxic effects of field weathered pesticides against key predacious mite species is important for effective IPM. The results of this study provide a comparison of direct and indirect toxic effects of various pesticides to A. industani under field conditions.     

The effect of pinealectomy on entrainment of the locomotor activity rhythm in sparrows maintained on various short days

Summary Pinealectomy of house sparrows on 3L:21D (3 h light per 24 h) resulted in a significant increase in the time between the onset of perch-hopping activity and lights on (on) as well as the time between the offset of activity and lights of (off). The daily variance in on and off was also increased following the removal of the pineal gland. On longer light cycles (i.e., 5L:19D; 7L:17D), neither on or off, nor the variance of on or off was different between sham-pinealectomized and pinealectomized sparrows. Upon returning the birds to an ultrashort light cycle, 1L:23D, off, as well as the variance in on and off were again found to be significantly larger in the pinealectomized birds when compared to sham-operated controls. These results indicate that the effects of pinealectomy on the entrained rhythm of locomotor activity are most pronounced when birds are exposed to a weak entraining agent, such as an ultrashort light: dark cycle. In view of the observation that pinealectomy can alter the phase relationship between activity onset and offset, it is suggested that the pineal gland may be involved in the coupling of the oscillators that regulate activity onset and offset.     

Intranuclear inclusions in pericytes of the hypothalamus of the rat

Summary This paper deals with the ultrastructure of two types of intranuclear inclusions, nuclear bodies and membranous lamellar bodies, present in hypothalamic pericytes of intact adult rats. The nuclear bodies exhibited simple and granular forms, whereas the membranous lamellar bodies were entirely made up of myelin-like membrane whorls.The occurrence of these bodies in nuclei of pericytes has never been previously reported. The origin and functional meaning of such structures is discussed in the light of recent ultrastructural and biochemical studies on nuclear inclusions.     

Mitochondrial genetic damage induced in yeast by a photoactivated furocoumarin in combination with ethidium bromide or ultraviolet light

Summary Ethidium bromide (EB) and ultraviolet light (UV) in combination are known to produce a synergistic induction of petite mutants in yeast. Two other agents were combined with EB, 3-Carbethoxypsoralene (3 CPs) activated by 365 nm light or rays. EB in combination with 3 CPs also resulted in an enhanced production of petite mutants. After the photoaddition of 3 CPs in exponential phase cells, recovery of the petite mutation during dark liquid holding was inhibited by the presence of EB producing an enhanced number of petite mutants. The behavior of mitochondrial antibiotic resistance markers after individual and combined treatments with EB and 3 CPs indicates a random loss of markers after EB and a preferential loss of a certain region for the 3 CPs photoaddition. The combination of the two agents leads to an additivity of total drug marker losses rather than a synergistic loss. The combination of EB with rays produced no enhancement in petite induction. A combination of UV and 3 CPs showed a synergistic interaction for petite induction. These results indicate that the three agents, EB, UV and 3 CPs photoaddition may share a common repair step for mitochondrial lesions.     

Concurrent effect of visible light on γ-particles,chitin synthetase,and encystment capacity in zoospores ofBlastocladiella emersonii

Summary Zoospores derived from ordinary colorless plants ofBlastocladiella emersonii grown under 240 W/cm² of visible light contain an average of ca. 5 -particles and numerous aggregates of cytoplasmic granules which resemble the -matrix, while spores from dark-grown plants contain ca. 12 -particles but none of the granules. Correspondingly, the amount of chitin synthetase associated with -particles is approximately proportional to the number of -particles in the two spore types. The foregoing light effects, known to be accompanied by an increased capacity for encystment, probably take place before sporogenesis. Conversely, zoospores derived from dark-grown plants do not encyst appreciably over an 8 h period unless they are illuminated, but the number of -particles/spore decreases from 12 to ca. 6 whether or not light is present. Arguments are presented for considering the latter disappearance of -particles as an essential ark reaction which precedes a photochemical reaction, both being needed for light-induced encystment.