Zum Feinbau der Siebröhren-Plastiden von Aristolochia und Asarum (Aristolochiaceae)

Summary Sieve-tube plastids of Aristolochia (5 species investigated) contain several starch grains and always one large crystalloid. In Asarum (3 species investigated) starch has not been found in the sieve-tubes. Their plastids contain several cuneate crystalloids that are sometimes arranged around an invisible centre. Asarum sieve-tube plastids look almost like typical plastids of monocotyledon sieve-tubes.-Crystalloids of Aristolochia and of Asarum sieve-tube plastids are composed of 50–60 Å subunits in straight and parallel order as crystalloids in monocotyledon sieve-tube plastids are.The results of the investigations of the fine structure are discussed in relation to the position of the Aristolochiaceae in the system of angiosperms.     

Some features ofNitella chloroplasts as revealed by the electron microscope

Summary Nitella chloroplasts when extruded from the large internodal cells and examined with the electron microscope often show daughter plastids in various stages of division as well as occasional external plastid protuberances. In the individual plastids the main mass of the chloroplast material appears to be concentrated in the outer portion of the plastid leaving a somewhat spongy interior. The extruded contents of ruptured plastids often contain particles of around 500 Å in diameter.Deceased, March 14, 1953     

PLASTID DIVISION IN MALLOMONAS (SYNUROPHYCEAE,HETEROKONTA)1

Laser scanning confocal microscopy and TEM were used to study the morphology of secondary plastids in algae of the genus Mallomonas (Synurophyceae). At interphase, Mallomonas splendens (G. S. West) Playfair, M. rasilis Dürrschm., M. striata Asmund, and M. adamas K. Harris et W. H. Bradley contained a single H‐shaped plastid consisting of two large lobes connected by a narrow isthmus. Labeling of DNA revealed a necklace‐like arrangement of plastid nucleoids at the periphery of the M. splendens plastid and a less‐patterned array in M. rasilis. The TEM of M. splendens and M. rasilis showed an electron‐dense belt surrounding the plastid isthmus in interphase cells; this putative plastid‐dividing ring (PD ring) was adpressed to the inner pair of the four plastid membranes, suggesting that it is homologous to the PD ring of green and red plastids. The PD ring did not contain actin (indicated by lack of staining with phalloidin) and displayed filaments or tubules of 5–10 nm in diameter that may be homologous to the tubules described in red algal PD rings. Confocal microscopy of chl autofluorescence from M. splendens showed that the plastid isthmus was severed as mitosis began, giving rise to two single‐lobed daughter plastids, which, as mitosis and cell division progressed, separated from one another and then each constricted to form the H‐shaped plastids of daughter cells. Similar plastid division cycles were observed in M. rasilis and M. adamas; however, the plastid isthmus of M. striata was retained throughout most of cell division and was eventually severed by the cell cleavage furrow.     

Freeze-etched membrane faces and photosynthetic activity in normal and mutantTradescantia chloroplasts

Summary Membrane structure and photosynthetic activity was investigated in normal and mutant plastids ofTradescantia albiflora cv.aureo-vittata. In the stacked membrane regions (the macrograna) of mutant plastids, the B fracture faces lack both 170 Å particles and photosystem II (PS II) activity. The C face has the normal 110 Å particles, and photosystem I (PS I) activity is also similar to that in normal chloroplasts. In dilated macrograna the particle size on the C face significantly decreases, and as progressive plastid destruction occurs so PS I activity also disappears. It has been concluded that the integrity of B face particles is related to PS II activity, rather than for membrane stacking. A similar correlation seems to be valid for C face particles and PS I activity.     

Zur Feinstruktur des Plastidenstromas vonHordeum vulgare L.

Zusammenfassung Nach Glutaraldehyd-Osmium-Fixierung lassen sich im Stroma von Etioplasten, ergrünenden Plastiden und Chloroplasten der Gerste bündelartige Einschlüsse nachweisen. Ein Bündel setzt sich aus einer variablen Zahl von Einzelsträngen (20 bis 60) zusammen. Im Querschnitt besteht ein Einzelstrang aus einem elektronendichten, röhrenartigen Zentralstück (Durchmesser 110 Å), das ein elektronentransparentes Lumen (30 Å) umschließt und von einer kontrastlosen, peripheren Hülle (Wandstärke 35 Å) umgeben ist. Die Einzelstränge sind im Bündel in hexagonal-dichtester Packung gelagert und haben im Querschnitt kristallinen Bau. Der Mittelpunktsabstand der Einzelstränge beträgt 170 bis 190 Å. Im Längsschnitt bestehen die Bündel aus parallel verlaufenden Schichten der kontrastreichen Zentralstränge und transparenten, peripheren Hüllen. Die genaue Länge der Einzelstränge und der Bündel ist unbekannt. In Plastidenteilungsstadien wurden Bündellängen bis zu 5 gefunden. Die Möglichkeit der Beteiligung dieses Stromabestandteiles an derde novo-Bildung der Thylakoide während der eigentlichen Ergrünungsphase der Chlorophyllsynthese oder (und) eine mögliche Funktion bei der Plastidenteilung wird diskutiert.

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The fine structure of plastid-stroma ofHordeum vulgare L.

Summary Glutaraldehyde-osmium fixed etioplasts, greening plastids and chloroplasts ofHordeum vulgare L. show fibrillar bundles of indefinite width and length. In cross section these bundles are cristalline in structure and composed of 20–60 fibrils. Each fibril is composed of an inner electron-dense core, 110 Å in diameter, and of an outer electron-transparent zone of 35 Å; the whole fibril thus measuring 180 Å. At higher magnification the central part of the inner electron-dense core is transparent and 30 Å in diameter. In longitudinal sections these bundles are composed of 0.1–5 long parallel fibrils. In most cases no direct connection between these fibrillar bundles and other plastid structures was found. However, in some cases, when plastids were in the phase of rapid greening, connection between the fibrillar bundles and thylakoids was seen. The bundles seem to terminate in the plastidenvelope. Inhibition of greening by X-rays (100–500 kr) did not affect these structures, but it reducedde novo synthesis of thylakoids in the greening phase. In dividing plastids the long fibrillar bundles can be seen in the constriction-zone. Two possible functions of the fibrillar bundles are discussed: they may take part inde novo synthesis of thylakoids during the process of rapid greening or (and) are of importance during plastid division.

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Für technische Assistenz danke ich Frau I.Krusche und Frau C.Labus.     

Visualisation of stromules in transgenic wheat expressing a plastid-targeted yellow fluorescent protein

Stromules are stroma-filled tubules that extend from the plastids in all multicellular plants examined to date. To facilitate the visualisation of stromules on different plastid types in various tissues of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a chimeric gene construct encoding enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) targeted to plastids with the transit peptide of wheat granule-bound starch synthase I was introduced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The gene construct was under the control of the rice Actin1 promoter, and EYFP fluorescence was detected in plastids in all cell types throughout the transgenic plants. Stromules were observed on all plastid types, although the stromule length and abundance varied markedly in different tissues. The longest stromules (up to 40 μm) were observed in epidermal cells of leaves, whereas only short beak-like stromules were observed on chloroplasts in mesophyll cells. Epidermal cells in leaves and roots contained the highest proportion of plastids with stromules, and stromules were also abundant on amyloplasts in the endosperm tissue of developing seeds. The general features of stromule morphology and distribution were similar to those shown previously for tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.).     

Phytoferritin in plastids of the cambial zone of willow

Summary Crystalline and paracrystalline arrays of electron-opaque granules have been found in plastids of the cambial zone and its immediate derivatives in crack willow (Salix fragilis L.). These granules have a diameter of 55 to 70 Å and, when in crystalline arrangement, show a centre to centre spacing of 100 Å with adjacent, slightly curved, or linear rows running parallel. The 70 Å particles have a substructure of four to six subunits 15 Å in diameter. These units are arranged around an electron-translucent core 20 Å diameter. It is suggested that this complex is phytoferritin. It is assumed that the electron-translucent area around the opaque granules represents the proteinaceous shell characteristic of both plant and animal ferritin as described by other authors. The phytoferritin is commonly found spread in a thin, regular, array over the surface of plastoglobuli in the plastids.It is further suggested that the phytoferritin is an iron-protein complex which allows the plant to store iron in non-toxic form. This theory would be in accord with the presence of phytoferritin in plastids which appear to be morphologically mature but which, on account of their position within the stem, would not be expected to be photosynthetically very active.     

Fine structure of the chromatoid body during spermatogenesis in the water-strider,Gerris remigis (SAY)

Summary During spermatogenesis in Gerris remigis, chromatoid bodies appear in the spermatocytes and persist to the-mid-spermatid stage. These structures consist of numerous, parallel tubules, which measure approximately 500 Å in diameter. The tubules are arranged in hexagonal array, and contain dense granules that resemble ribosomes. The chromatoid body may be secretory in function, or may be involved in intracellular transport.The technical assistance of Mr. Roy R. Keppie and Mrs. Mona Brandreth is gratefully acknowledged.     

Osservazioni Anatomo-Fisiologiche Sulla Kleinia Articulata Haworth

Abstract

Ultrastructural modifications of plastids in leaflets of Larix decidua and Picea excelsa during sprouting of buds.—Ultrastructural modifications of plastids in leaflets of Larix decidua and Picea excelsa during sprouting of buds kept in different light conditions were observed.

While in quiescent buds of both species typical plastids with magnograna are present, fully expanded leaflets kept in the light have plastids with an organized lamellar apparatus.

When the buds are kept in darkness the cells of the fully expanded, etiolated leaflets have hardly differentiated plastids with prolamellar bodies partially modified into short tubules and vesicles.

Plastids of Picea and Larix buds, in their development, behave almost identically both in darkness and in the light.

The differences previously observed in dark grown seedlings of the two species are not to be found in buds.     

Die Siebröhren-Plastiden der Monocotyledonen

Zusammenfassung In vergleichenden feinstrukturellen Beobachtungen an 24 Monocotyledonen aus 21 Familien wird ein für Monocotylen-Siebröhren charakteristischer Plastidentyp näher beschrieben. Neben gelegentlichen Ablagerungen von Siebröhrenstärke enthalten ausdifferenzierte Siebröhren-Plastiden zahlreiche keilförmige, kontrastreiche und proteinhaltige Kristalloide. Sie entstehen in der Matrix der noch amöboiden Formveränderungen unterworfenen Proplastiden; in reifem Zustand werden sie aus gekreuzten Reihen paralleler, gerader und kontrastreicher Filamente (50–60 Å) aufgebaut.Die Siebröhren-Plastiden von Nymphaea alba und Nuphar luteum bilden keine Kristalloide aus, dagegen läßt sich Siebröhrenstärke wie in den übrigen bisher untersuchten Dicotylen nachweisen.

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Sieve-tube plastids of monocotyledonsComparative investigations of the fine structure and distribution of specific plastids

Summary Fine-structural investigations of 24 monocotyledons from 21 families and all but one order succeeded in revealing a plastid with cuneate proteinaceous inclusion bodies as being typical of monocot sieve-tubes. Inclusion bodies originate in large numbers during plastid differentiation; they concentrate in the matrix and aggregate around an invisible centre, that mostly lies at one end of the elongated ameboid proplastid. The inclusion-free part of the young plastid contains countless vesicles and short membranes, presumably invaginations of the inner plastid envelope. Proteinaceous inclusion bodies show a crystal-like structure composed of 50–60 Å subunits in straight and parallel order. Besides these crystal-like inclusion bodies sieve-tube plastids of many monocotyledons also contain starch. — Sieve-tube plastids of Nuphar luteum and Nymphaea alba look like plastids in dicotyledon sieve-tubes, starch being their only inclusion.

     

Ultrastructural changes in isolated plastids

Summary Etio-chloroplasts were isolated from greening maize leaves and their ultrastructure was investigated immediately after isolation, as well as at intervals of several hours after their exposure to light or darkness. The following ultrastructural changes have been observed:In plastids isolated from etiolated leaves illuminated for 1–2 hours, the crystalline structure of the prolamellar bodies is partly restored during the isolation. In some plastids, regions with a regular, crystalline structure of densely packed tubules are even observed. The prolamellar bodies do not change further, either in light or in darkness.In young chloroplasts—i.e., in plastids isolated from etiolated leaves, illuminated for 6 or 15 hours—many prolamellar bodies, usually lying between the grana, appearde novo during isolation. These prolamellar bodies do not disappear in light either. They do not develop at all, however, if the isolation is performed at low temperature (4 °C).The results of the present paper indicate that in isolated etio-chloroplasts some tubular structures are newly formed, but that the conversion of this material into the thylakoids is not possible under the experimental conditions used.     

Ricerche Sulla Morfogenesi Dei Plastidi Clorofilliani

Abstract

Studies on chloroplast morphogenesis. The effect of sucrose feeding and light intensity on the plastids of etiolated plants. — The changes in the fine structure of the plastids of etiolated Bean plants, dipped into water or in various sucrose concentrations, for 24, or more, hours, and exposed to conditions of darkness and weak light, were studied at the electron microscope, and protochlorophyll, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents were determined. When the etiolated plants are dipped into water or sucrose solutions, in the dark, rows of tubules and lamellae, often stacked and resembling small grana, are formed in the plastids. These structural changes of plastids of the plants exposed to conditions of darkness, where no protochlorophyll was converted to chlorophyll a, are quite similar to those described by several Authors for plants exposed to light conditions and thought to coincide with the protochlorophyll-chlorophyll transformation. Thus, the preservation of the « Kristallgitterstruktur » of the vesicular centers, or, instead, their transformation into a lapse cluster of tubules, does not seem to be related with protochlorophyll accumulation in them; indeed, an increase of protochlorophyll contents was observed both with the preservation of the crystalline structure, and with its transformation, and low protochlorophyll contents did not always coincide with the transformation of the vesicular centers. In the plants exposed to weak light (1 ft-c) there is chlorophyll a and b accumulation, and a more pronounced tendency toward stacking of tubules and lamellae. In the plants exposed to weak light, dipped into water or sucrose solutions, at the lowest concentrations, and for the shortest periods, the vesicular centers are transformed into clusters of tubules; but with higher sucrose concentrations, or longer dipping periods, their crystalline structure is preserved, just as if their preservation would depend only by an adeguate nutrients supply.

The arrangement of normal lamellae and the formation of grana connected by intergrana lamellae occur, anyhow, only when the etiolated plants are exposed to « high » light (630 ft-c). But chlorophyll accumulation is possible under « weak » light (and a stacking of tubules and lamellae, resembling small grana, also occurs), when sucrose is supplied. The achievement of the « normal », complete structure of the chloroplast is, therefore, here interpreted in the sense that it represents only the functional aspect of its organization, determined by a light intensity favorable to its photosyntetic activity, which is not directly necessary for the synthesis of the contistuents of the lamellar system (chlorophylls, phospholipids).     

The intranuclear mitosis of the ciliates Paracineta limbata and Ichthyophtirius multifiliis

Electron microscope studies on the premetaphase stages of micronuclear divisions of Paracineta limbata and Ichthyophtirius multifiliis showed that spindle material also exists during interphase. In the case of I. multifiliis scattered microtubule fragments persist in the nuclear space; in P. limbata the micronuclei contain a small paracrystalloid which is suggested to be microtubular protein. Wide microtubules, varying in diameter from 300 to 400 Å develop during intranuclear prophase near the nuclear envelope in both cases. There are good reasons to assume that they function as a kind of stem body during the enlargement of the surface area of the nuclear envelope. Later micronuclear prophase stages of both species show a some-what different development. In I. multifiliis, there are scattered groups of short microtubular segments, partly in parallel array, whereas in P. limbata the wide tubules are transformed into normal microtubules of 180–200 Å diameter. The nuclei of both species are similar at late prophase and prometaphase stages. Bundles of interpolar microtubules run between the chromosomes, and single microtubules, presumably induced by the chromosomes, cross them at different angles. The chromosome-induced microtubules appear a short time after the interpolars. At prometaphase stage all microtubules show a highly parallel arrangement and therefore it is suggested that chromosomal tubules reach their final polar orientation by the action of cross-bridges.     

Über den Feinbau verdickter (nacré) Wände und der Plastiden in den Siebröhren vonAnnona undMyristica

Zusammenfassung Die verdickten (nacré) inneren Wände der Siebröhren von Annonaceen, vonMyristica, Illicium undKadsura geben mit spezifischen Farbstoffen eine positive Cellulosereaktion. Untersuchungen über ihre Feinstruktur zeigen, daß sie sich aus bevorzugt parallel verlaufenden Fibrillen (Durchmesser 100–200 Å) zusammensetzen. Die Paralleltextur ist wahrscheinlich für den Perlmutterglanz der Wände mitverantwortlich. Die Wandverdickungen entstehen bereits in sehr jungen plasmareichen Siebröhren und engen das Siebröhrenlumen im Laufe ihrer Differenzierung bis auf weniger als die Hälfte des Ausgangswertes ein. - Die Siebröhren-Plastiden von Annonaceen undMyristica enthalten einen Proteineinschluß, z. T. zusätzlich auch Stärkekörner.

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On the fine structure of nacreous walls and of plastids in the sieve tubes ofAnnona andMyristica

Summary Wall thickenings (nacreous walls) in sieve tubes ofAnnonaceae, ofMyristica, Illicium, andKadsura give positive reactions with dyes staining cellulose walls. In electron microscopic investigations their composition of 100–200 Å wide fibrils can be depicted. The predominant parallel arrangement of the fibrils is suggested to be one of the conditions for the pearly luster of the wall thickenings. The formation of nacreous walls is initiated in young sieve tubes; finally the wall thickenings may occlude more than half of their cross-sectional area.—Sieve-tube plastids fromAnnonaceae andMyristica contain protein inclusions and often supplementary starch grains.

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Meinem Lehrer, Herrn Prof. Dr.Walter Schumacher, in Dankbarkeit zum 70. Geburtstag.     

DOES DINOPHYSIS CAUDATA (DINOPHYCEAE) HAVE PERMANENT PLASTIDS?1

The marine photosynthetic dinoflagellates Dinophysis Ehrenb. species are obligate mixotrophs that require both light and the ciliate prey Myrionecta rubra (= Mesodinium rubrum) for long‐term survival. Despite rapid progress on the study of Dinophysis using laboratory cultures, however, whether it has its own permanent plastids or kleptoplastids (i.e., stolen plastids from its ciliate prey) is not fully resolved. Here, we addressed this issue using established cultures of D. caudata Saville‐Kent strain DC‐LOHABE01 and cross‐feeding/starvation experiments encompassing the prey M. rubra strain MR‐MAL01 cultures grown on two different cryptophytes (strains CR‐MAL01 and CR‐MAL11). To follow the fate of prey plastids, psbA gene as a tracer was amplified from individually isolated D. caudata cells, and the PCR products were digested with a restriction enzyme, SfaNI. The RFLP pattern of the PCR products digested by SfaNI revealed that D. caudata continued to keep CR‐MAL01–type plastids, while it lost CR‐MAL11–type plastids with increasing starvation time. Our results suggest that Dinophysis treats in different ways plastids taken up from different cryptophytes via its ciliate prey M. rubra. Alternatively, D. caudata may already have its own CR‐MAL01–type permanent plastid, with two types of plastids (CR‐MAL01 and CR‐MAL11) obtained from M. rubra being lost within 1 month. This result highlights the need to identify more accurately the origin of plastids in newly isolated photosynthetic Dinophysis species to resolve the issue of plastid permanence.     

Kristalloide Einschlüsse im Zytoplasma pflanzlicher Zellen

Summary In healthy as well as dahlia mosaic sick plants ofVerbesina encelioides, Sanvitalia procumbens, Zinnia elegans, Calendula spec. andDahlia hybrids, leaf cell vacuoles are found in the marginal cytoplasm which contain protein crystals. They are single membrane-limited products of the endoplasmatic reticulum. They may be found mainly in the older leaves and especially in those of virus infected plants. The crystalline structures consist of tetragonally arranged tubules of 105 Å in diameter, separated by an interspace about 35 Å wide. There are similar structures in virus infected plants ofFragaria vesca, but not inChenopodium quinoa, where the vacuoles contain no bodies. This cell organelle is compared with crystalline inclusions already described. Its significance and relations to the virus disease are discussed.     

Ultrastructure of the neurogenic heart of Limulus polyphemus

Summary The ultrastructure of Limulus cardiac muscle was examined. The hearts were fixed in situ by perfusion with isotonic glutaraldehyde solution while in relaxed, contracted, or stretched states. The sarcomeres are relatively long, varying in length from about 2.5 to 6.6 . The average A-band length is 2.46 . M lines are absent, and H zones are poorly distinguished. Thick and thin filament diameters average about 200 Å and 50 Å, respectively; each thick filament is surrounded by 8–12 thin ones. Superficial invaginations of the sarcolemma occur, making contact with the Z lines of the outermost myofibrils. There is an extensive sarcoplasmic reticulum and transverse (T) tubules. Some T tubules run longitudinally and some open into deep sarcolemmal invaginations which extend into the fiber interior. The T tubules swell markedly in hypertonic solution. Single neurons and small bundles of neurons are observed in close apposition with myocardial cells. Intercalated disks are found in Limulus heart at regions of contact between contiguous myocardial cells lying end to end; semitight or gap junctions are essentially absent. Prominent differences in sarcomere lengths sometimes occur across the disk, thus indicating that the disks demarcate cells functionally. Hence, in addition to direct motoneuron activation, there may be some transfer of excitation across the intercalated disks in accord with our previous finding that propagating, overshooting action potentials can be induced in this heart.Supported by grants from the American Heart Association and from the Public Health Service (HE-11155 and HE-05815). I thank Mrs. Jan Redick for expert technical assistance.     

Further studies of the sieve-element plastids of theCaryophyllales includingBarbeuia,Corrigiola, Lyallia,Microtea, Sarcobatus,andTelephium

The sieve-element plastids of 69 species of theCaryophyllales were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. All contained the specific subtype-P3 plastids characterized by a peripheral ring of protein filaments. The presence or absence of an additional central protein crystal and their shape being either polygonal or globular as well as the average sizes of the sieve-element plastids are useful features in the characterization of some families.—Barbeuia contains sieve-element plastids that confirm its placement within thePhytolaccaceae. Lyallia differs fromHectorella by including small starch grains in their sieve-element plastids, which otherwise by their globular crystals negate a closer connection to theCaryophyllaceae. The lack of a central protein crystal in its form-P3fs plastids placesMicrotea best within theChenopodiaceae. Sarcobatus, a so far uncontested member of theChenopodiaceae, contains form-P3cf plastids, i.e., including a central crystal not found elsewhere in this family.Telephium andCorrigiola, shifted back and forth betweenMolluginaceae andCaryophyllaceae, have form-P3cf(s) plastids with a polygonal crystal which favor their placement within theCaryophyllaceae.     

Über Siebröhren-Plastiden und Plastidenfilamente der Caryophyllales

Summary Comparative investigations of 20 Centrospermae from 12 families revealed that a plastid with an electron-dense core and/or annular plastid filaments is typical for Caryophyllales.When the plastid membrane breaks down — it is most probable that this takes place artificially during the process of preparation and fixation — the plastid inclusions (core and annulus) disintegrate and in a whirl set free numerous 40–60 Å wide filaments. These so-called plastid filaments spread over the sieve-tube lumen and through the sieve pores, but they always remain discernable from the plasmatic filaments of the sieve tubes. There is a theory on how the somewhat different inclusions of various species could have been differentiated in an ontogenetic and phylogenetic process.Sieve-tube plastids of Polygonum and Rumex (Polygonales) and of Plumbago have no plastid filaments. They contain starch.

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Erweiterter Teil einer Habilitationsschrift der Math.-Naturw. Fakultät Bonn.     

Über den Feinbau „Gitterartig” Aufgebauter Plasmaeinschlüsse in den Siebelementen von Dioscorea Reticulata

Zusammenfassung Ein hochgeordnetes System tubulärer Strukturen wurde als bisher unbekannter Plasmaeinschluß in den Siebelementen von Dioscorea reticulata beschrieben. 250 Å weite, kontrastreiche Tubuli ordnen sich in hexagonal dichtester Packung zu 0,2 bis 1,3 großen Körpern an. Die einzelnen Tubuli sind helixähnlich gewunden und geben dem Plasmaeinschluß eine den Heitz-Leyon-Kristallen der Plastiden von Chlorophytum ähnliche Gestalt. Herkunft und Bedeutung dieser Gebilde sind noch weitgehend unbekannt.

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On the fine structure of a lattice-like body in the sieve elements of Dioscorea reticulata

Summary In the parietal protoplast of differentiated sieve elements of Dioscorea reticulata an up to now unknown lattice-like body has been described in detail. Many 250 Å wide tubules combine to form very regularly composed bodies, which are about 0.2 to 1.3 large. Each tubule is twined like a helix and is spaced equidistantly from the adjoining ones, the interval being 450 to 500 Å. On the whole the lattice-like bodies of Dioscorea largely resemble the so-called Heitz-Leyon-crystals of young plastids.

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