FINE STRUCTURE OF CELLS ISOLATED FROM ADULT MOUSE LIVER

Suspensions of isolated cells in various media were prepared from mouse liver which had been perfused via the portal vein with a buffered medium containing 0.40 M sucrose, and the cells were fixed with osmium tetroxide. Their fine structure was compared with that of cells from perfused and unperfused intact liver. Perfusion brought about some separation of the cells with little or no damage to cell membranes. When cells were dispersed in 0.40 M sucrose medium the plasma membranes partially broke down, and this disintegration was increased by transfer of the cells to media of lower osmolarity. This is presumed to account for the loss of permeability barriers which occurs in isolated liver cells. The mitochondria in cells of perfused liver and in isolated cells remained elongated, but the layers of many mitochondrial cristae became separated by clear spaces. When cells were transferred to a medium containing 0.20 M sucrose, the mitochondria swelled and became spherical, often with displacement of the swollen cristae to the periphery. In a medium containing 0.06 M sucrose and 0.08 M potassium chloride the outer chamber of many mitochondria became swollen with displacement of the mitochondrial body to one side to give a crescent-shaped appearance. These changes in mitochondrial morphology are discussed in relation to the metabolic activity of isolated liver cells.     

THE FINE STRUCTURE OF GENETIC TUMOR CELLS

Tissue from genetic tumors at an early stage of development on young seedlings of Nicotiana suaveolens x N. langsdorffii was examined with the electron microscope. Such tumors, which first appear on the stem immediately below the petioles of the first and second leaves, are composed essentially of three cell types. They are covered by a single layer of epidermal cells of which two specializations, guard cells and trichomes, were observed. The majority of cells in the tumors are large, irregularly shaped, highly vacuolated, parenchymal cells. Meristematic cells, which are found in clusters close to the surface of the tumor, are the third cell type. A membrane-bound inclusion was observed within the plastids of all of the cell types within the tumor. It consists of granular material which accumulates within an intrathylakoid space. There are no major differences in ultrastructure between parenchymal cells of genetic tumors and their normal counterparts from stems without any signs of tumor formation.     

南极三种弹尾目记述(英文)

本文描述了采自南极的三种弹尾目 ,其中详细描述了新种南极隐跳Cryptopygusnanjiensis头、胸、腹部诸如 :触角、角后器、足、弹器、腹管以及毛序等鉴别特征 ,并将两种已知种Tullbergiamediantarcti ca和Frieseawoyciechowskii与模式种进行了比较。新种及观察的已知种标本存放在中科院上海昆虫研究所的标本馆中     

STRUCTURE OF TRACHEIDS IN THREE SPECIES OF LYCOPODIUM

The structure of tracheids in Lycopodium lucidulum, L. clavatum, and L. tristachyum was studied with the light microscope. Protoxylem development is at least sometimes and possibly always mesarch in indeterminate axes of all three species. Centrifugally formed protoxylem elements are reticulate and discontinuities in the secondary walls of these elements are sometimes conspicuously bordered. Wall thickenings of first formed protoxylem elements consist mainly of indirectly connected rings. Late centripetally formed protoxylem elements and transitional elements have a reticulate secondary wall pattern. The narrowest metaxylem elements have circular bordered pits while in wider metaxylem elements pits are bordered and may vary from circular to scalariform. Pitting is uniseriate to triseriate in tracheids of all three species, and intermittent tetraseriate pitting was occasionally observed in L. lucidulum. Crassulae occur in tracheids of the three species, and in L. clavatum an additional framework, probably representing thickened compound middle lamella, is also present. Pits often appear helically arranged, and in all three species pits are connected by thin areas in the secondary wall. Macrofibrils approximately 0.5 μ wide were observed in tracheids of the three species. In L. clavatum the arrangement of macro-fibrils was predominantly bidirectional.     

THE FINE STRUCTURE OF THE GUARD CELLS OF HELIANTHUS ANNUUS

The guard cells of Helianthus annuus contain elements of endoplasmic reticulum and large numbers of mitochondria and dictyosomes. Each guard cell possesses a complex system of small to large vacuoles which contain small, membrane-bound vesicles; the vacuole may actually be one highly invaginated and dissected vacuole extending throughout the cell. A highly developed grana fretwork within the plastids implies full photosynthetic capability and the capability of producing the osmoticulum required for turgor change. No plasmodesmata occur between the sister guard cells or between the guard and epidermal cells. It is postulated that there is a close relationship between plastid development and the presence or absence of plasmodesmata. No microbodies were positively identified in any of the guard cells. Microtubules appear to lie in two planes, thereby giving support to the “two system” observation for microtubules in the guard cells of Pisum sativum.     

THE NORMAL FINE STRUCTURE OF OPOSSUM TESTICULAR INTERSTITIAL CELLS

The interstitial tissue of the opossum testis includes interstitial or Leydig cells, macrophages, and small cells which morphologically resemble mesenchymal cells. The latter are thought to give rise to mature interstitial cells. The most prominent feature of the interstitial cell cytoplasm is an exceedingly abundant agranular endoplasmic reticulum. This reticulum is generally in the form of a meshwork of interconnected tubules about 300 to 450 A in diameter, but occasionally it assumes the form of flattened, fenestrated cisternae resembling those of pancreatic acinar cells, except for the lack of ribonucleoprotein particles on the surface of the membranes. The interstitial cells vary considerably in their cytoplasmic density. The majority are quite light, but some appear extremely dense, and in addition usually have a more irregular cell surface, with numerous small pseudopodia. These differences may well reflect variations in physiological state. Cytoplasmic structures previously interpreted as "crystalloids" consist of long bundles of minute parallel tubules, each about 180 A in diameter, which seem to be local differentiations of the endoplasmic reticulum. The mitochondria are rod-shaped, and contain a moderately complex internal membrane structure, and also occasional large inclusions that are spherical and homogeneous. The prominent juxtanuclear Golgi complex contains closely packed flattened sacs and small vesicles. The results of the present study, coupled with biochemical evidence from other laboratories, make it seem highly probable that the agranular endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the synthesis of the steroid hormones produced by the interstitial cell. This finding therefore constitutes one of the first functions of the agranular reticulum for which there is good morphological and biochemical evidence.     

THREE NEW SPECIES OF BERBERIS FROM YUNNAN

Three new species of Berberis from Yunnan are described and illustrated: B. dokerlaica Harber, B. yiliangensis Harber and B. brevipedicillata Harber. The remarkable diversity of this genus in the Hengduan Mountains of south central China is discussed.     

ANALYSIS OF N-ALKANES FROM THREE SPECIES OF CLARKIA

Sixteen n-alkanes were isolated and identified from the herb Clarkia unguiculata, fourteen from C. exilis and seven from C. tembloriensis. These alkanes ranged from C₂₀H₄₂ to C₃₅H₇₂. In all three taxa, the odd numbered alkanes were generally present in greater quantities than even numbered ones, which is similar to the alkane patterns of Monarda that were observed in our laboratories. Clarkia tembloriensis has a characteristically high percentage (95%) of the C₂₀ alkane.     

FINE STRUCTURE OF EPITHELIAL CANAL CELLS IN PETIOLES OF XANTHIUM PENSYLVANICUM

Secretory canals, lined with an epithelium, occur in many families, e.g., Umbelliferae, Compositae. These canals are said to extend continuously through the root and shoot systems and are known, in some cases, to secrete resins, essential oils, etc. In Xanthium the canals arise schizogenously from cells derived from canal initials. Subsequent divisions lead to a ring of 7–12 epithelial cells surrounding a central cavity. During maturation the epithelium becomes crushed and obliterated. Canals were examined in petioles of Xanthium pensyhanicum (Cocklebur) grown under long day illumination to maintain vegetative growth. The fine structure of the canal and its epithelium was studied by electron microscopy of thin sections cut transverse to the principal axis of petioles from leaves in an early stage of development. The canal proper is delimited by walls of epithelial cells which protrude into a scallop shaped cavity. In comparison to the surrounding parenchyma, the epithelial cells are smaller, cytoplasmically more dense, and less vacuolate. The epithelium contains pleomorphic starch-free plastids with planar thylakoids frequently stacked into grana; thus, the plastids are presumed photosynthetically active. Mitochondria are abundant and often dense. The cytoplasm is rich in free polysomes, and smooth endoplasmic reticulum predominates over the rough form. Spheroidal granules averaging about 530 nm in diameter are numerous in the epithelium and appear at lower concentration in neighboring cells. Many features of fine structure of the epithelial cells suggest that a high metabolic activity is present in this tissue during this early stage of development. A possible function of the canals is defense against insect predation and animal grazing.     

FINE STRUCTURE OF NUCLEAR CRYSTALS IN LEAVES OF TWO DIANTHUS SPECIES

Examination of leaf cells of Dianthus barbatus with the election microscope revealed the presence of crystals in the nuclei, but not in the cytoplasm or in other organelles. They were at first thought to be viral crystalline inclusions, but no evidence could be adduced to support this possibility. The crystals were found in the nuclei of cells from all parts of the leaf, including parenchyma cells of the vascular elements. They were usually 0.5–2 μ long, and occasionally up to 5 μ. In longitudinal section they appeared as electron-dense striations, about 10–15 mμ wide, alternating with electron-transparent bands, 6–8 mμ wide. In cross section they had a honeycomb appearance, resulting from closely packed hexagonal elements, with electron-transparent centers. Similar crystals were found in nuclei of D. chinensis leaf cells, but not in other members of the Caryophyllaceae, including two varieties of D. caryophyllus, D. deltoides, D. arenarius, Silene acaulis, Lychnis chalcedonica, Saponaria calibrica, and Stellaria media. This appears be the first fine structural report of a lattice inclusion in nuclei of cells of healthy higher plants.     

SOME UNUSUAL FEATURES OF FINE STRUCTURE OBSERVED IN HELA CELLS

HeLa cells from conventional culture media have been studied in thin sections with the electron microscope; in many cases cells were examined in sets of sections cut in series. The fine structure of the cells is described including three unusual features not hitherto reported. It has been found that numerous cells contained rows of parallel smooth surfaced cisternae spaced about 150 mµ apart and communicating with rough surfaced elements of the endoplasmic reticulum. These cisternae resembled "annulate lamellae" but did not contain regular arrays of pores. In many cells an area of juxtanuclear cytoplasm was occupied by a membranous structure composed of closely applied pairs of narrow cisternae either arranged in concentric rings or else extending in several directions in a haphazard manner. Sparse particles were present on the outer membranes of each pair of cisternae. Communications between the double cisternae and other membrane-bounded structures were not observed. A small number of cells contained areas of cytoplasm devoid of organelles and filled with amorphous fuzzy material. The observations recorded are discussed.     

THE FINE STRUCTURE OF TESTICULAR INTERSTITIAL CELLS IN GUINEA PIGS

In guinea pig testes perfused with either glutaraldehyde or osmium tetroxide fixative, the cytoplasm of the interstitial cells contains an exceptionally abundant agranular endoplasmic reticulum. The reticulum in central regions of the cell is a network of interconnected tubules, but in extensive peripheral areas the reticulum is commonly organized into closely packed, flattened cisternae which are fenestrated. Occasional small patches of the granular reticulum occur in the cytoplasm and connect freely with the agranular reticulum. The mitochondria have a dense matrix and contain cristae and some tubules. The Golgi complex is disperse and shows no evidence of secretory material. The cytoplasm also contains lipid droplets. Lipofuscin pigment granules are probably polymorphic residual bodies and contain three components: (1) a dense material which at high magnification shows a 75-A periodicity; (2) a medium-sized lipid droplet; and (3) a cap-like structure. In glutaraldehyde-perfused testis the interstitial cell cytoplasm appears to have the same density from cell to cell, and the agranular reticulum is tubular or cisternal but not in the form of empty vesicles. Thus the "dark" and "light" cells and the vesicular agranular reticulum sometimes encountered in other fixations may be artifacts. Biochemical results from other laboratories, correlated with the present findings, indicate that the membranes of the agranular endoplasmic reticulum in guinea pig interstitial cells are the site of at least two enzymes of androgen biosynthesis, the 17-hydroxylase and the 17-desmolase.     

FINE STRUCTURE OF SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS GROWN IN TISSUE CULTURE

The fine structure of smooth muscle cells of the embryo chicken gizzard cultured in monolayer was studied by phase-contrast optics and electron microscopy. The smooth muscle cells were irregular in shape, but tended to be elongate. The nucleus usually contained prominent nucleoli and was large in relation to the cell body. When fixed with glutaraldehyde, three different types of filaments were noted in the cytoplasm: thick (150–250 A in diameter) and thin (30–80 A in diameter) myofilaments, many of which were arranged in small bundles throughout the cytoplasm and which were usually associated with dark bodies; and filaments with a diameter of 80–110 A which were randomly orientated and are not regarded as myofilaments. Some of the aggregated ribosomes were helically arranged. Mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum were prominent. In contrast to in vivo muscle cells, micropinocytotic vesicles along the cell membrane were rare and dense areas were usually confined to cell membrane infoldings. These cells are compared to in vivo embryonic smooth muscle and adult muscle after treatment with estrogen. Monolayers of cultured smooth muscle will be of particular value in relating ultrastructural features to functional observations on the same cells.     

STUDIES ON THE FINE STRUCTURE OF ULTRACENTRIFUGED SPINAL GANGLION CELLS

The following structures were observed in electron micrographs of the mouse spinal ganglion cells: Nissl bodies composed of both aggregated rough-type, largely oriented, membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and discrete particles; short rodlike mitochondria with well-developed transverse, obliquely or longitudinally arranged cristae, and a relatively typical Golgi complex. The components of ultracentrifuged ganglion cells (400,000 times gravity for 20 minutes) are stratified, the layers appearing in the order of their decreasing density as follows: (1) A microsomal or ergastoplasmic layer which may be further divided into three sublayers without sharp boundaries, namely, a discrete particle layer, a layer of discrete particles and highly distorted membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum, and a layer composed of relatively intact, but stretched membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and discrete particles. (2) Mitochondria constitute a relatively broad layer. They are sometimes stretched; however, they retain most of their fine structure. The stratified nucleus is found within the mitochondrial layer. (3) A relatively wide layer of tightly packed vesicles. (4) At the centripetal end, resting against the cell membrane, are a few lipid vacuoles. A comparison is made between the ultrastructure of the stratified layers in situ and those described by others in differentially ultracentrifuged homogenates.     

ELECTROPHORETIC ANALYSIS OF ENZYMES FROM THREE SPECIES OF CHLAMYDOMONAS

Isoenzyme patterns of acetone-extracted proteins revealed a close similarity between Chlamydomonas eugametos and C. moewusii but a distant relationship between the two and C. reinhardtii. Chlamydomonas eugametos and C. moewusii had identical banding patterns of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) in starch gels. These two species exhibited the same MDH distribution spectrum in analytical disc polyacrylamide gels but neither species showed definitive LAP or glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity. There were differences in the starch gel alpha esterase (α-EST) patterns of C. eugametos and C. moewusii due to an additional weak band at Rf 0.75 in the latter species and a slight variation in the position of another band at Rf 0.80–0.82. Some variations between the two species also occurred in the α-EST banding in disc gels at Rf 0.70–0.85 and at Rf 0.06–0.14 with C. moewusii exhibiting the greatest number of bands. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii displayed patterns of all four enzymes but the band characteristics were distinctively different from those of C. eugametos and C. moewusii. There appeared to be no obvious isoenzyme difference between mating types of either species. It is concluded that C. eugametos and C. moewusii are not identical species but are closely related in regard to the enzymes assayed. Isoenzyme analysis is considered to be a useful approach to algal systematics.     

寄生于银鲴的指环虫三新种的记述

本文记述寄生于产自隶于珠江水系的西洋江剥隘(云南)的银鲴 Xenocypris argentea Güinther 的指环虫 Dactylogyrus Diesing 三新种。分别订名为①副似兰指环虫 Dactylogyrus paracymbidioides sp.nov.,以其交接器和阴道结构之差异而区别于 D.hainanensis 和 D.leucisculus③多鳌指指环虫 D.polyche-irodactylus sp.nov.,和近似种 D.chernyshevae 之不同,在于交接器结构与量度和辅助片缺如。③半旋卷指环虫 D.hemivolutus sp.nov.,虽然后吸器结构近于 D.iunchisi,但交接器的结构及其量度则不同。