CONSTANCY OF RELATIVE VOLUMES OF ZONES IN SHOOT APICAL MERISTEMS IN CACTACEAE: IMPLICATIONS CONCERNING MERISTEM SIZE,SHAPE, AND METABOLISM

The volumes and dimensions of shoot apical meristem zones were determined for 21 species in 10 genera of the Cactaceae. If the volumes of the central-mother-cell zone (CMCZ), the peripheral zone (PZ), and the pith-rib meristem (PRM) are expressed as percentages of the total volume of the corpus, then they are remarkably constant (CMCZ = 11.1% of the volume of the corpus, PZ = 61.2% and PRM = 27.1%) regardless of the relative size of the apical meristems. The relative volume of the tunica decreases, however, as the whole apex increases. The zones have variable shapes, and whereas the PZ and PRM are always trapezoidal in longitudinal section, in apices with large volumes, these zones have a flatter, more flaring shape than they have in smaller apices. Thus large apices are flatter and less hemispherical than are small apices. The CMCZ, however, maintains a constant shape and is always relatively hemispherical regardless of its volume. A hypothesis that relates all of these shape and volume relationships as an integrated growth sequence is proposed.     

SIMULATIONS OF CELL DIMENSIONS IN SHOOT APICAL MERISTEMS: IMPLICATIONS CONCERNING ZONATE APICES

Surface areas, differential curvatures, volumes, and dimensions of cell-like units were described for various geometric shapes approaching the morphology of shoot apical meristems (SAM) in vascular plants. Geometric relationships are given in both graphic and dynamic simulations of shape. If the surface of the SAM is described by the revolution of a parabolic, hyperbolic, or circular function, then the greatest change in the surface areas or volumes of equally spaced transverse sections will occur in those regions showing the greatest differential in surface curvature. Subdivision of the SAM volume into cell-like units leads to quantitative expressions of changes in “cell” length to width and width to depth (aspect) ratios. Dependent upon the geometry of the SAM, differential expressions of aspect ratios may lead to a zonate pattern within the SAM corresponding to a central-mother-cell zone (CMC), a peripheral zone (PZ), and a pith-rib meristem (PRM). The boundary between the PRM and PZ, as seen in median longitudinal section, is a geometric consequence of the deployment of cells with aspect ratios best suited to occupy the entire SAM volume. The number of cell-like lineages, L, in the SAM may be expressed by the aspect ratio of cells in longitudinal section, n_x-y, such that for the PRM and PZ, L = k₁n_x-y^-5.38 and L = k₂n_x-y^3.18, respectively. Cellular patterns seen in the “corpus” of the SAM may not, therefore, be the a priori result of physiologically distinct populations of cells. Computer simulations are discussed within the data set derived from a study of the SAM of cacti.     

The inhibition and stimulation of DNA synthesis in shoot apices ofChenopodium rubrum L. during photoperiodic induction of flowering

Three short-day inductive cycles bring about inhibition followed by transitional enhancement of growth, not only in roots and leaves but also in different zones of shoot apical meristem, as shown by measurement of DNA synthesis using³H-thymidine autoradiography. The first inductive cycle resulted in marked inhibition of the cells of the central zone (CZ), rib meristem (RM), and peripheral zone (PZ). Subsequent enhancement of DNA synthesis occurs in RM during the second inductive cycle, but in CZ only in the third cycle. The growth activation in PZ is counteracted by decrease in apical dominance which results in further inhibition of leaf primordia and increases in bud primordia. In plants induced only by one cycle, which later reverse the vegetative pattern of growth and differentiation, increased DNA synthesis in RM and CZ was not observed. The significance of inhibitory and stimulatory processes in particular zones of the shoot apex is discussed considering flower morphogenesis.     

Effects of temperature and elevated CO2 on cell division in shoot meristems: differential responses of two natural populations of Dactylis glomerata L.

The aim was to establish whether temperature and/or elevated [CO₂] (-700 μmol mol^?1) affects the cell doubling time (cdt) in the different zones of the shoot apex of two natural populations of Dactylis glomerata originating in Portugal (38° S3′ N) and in Sweden (63° 09′ N). In the Portuguese population at ambient [CO₂], only the pith rib meristem (PRM) exhibited a significant shortening of cdts from 10 to 30 °C. Elevated [CO₂] resulted in a significant shortening of cdt, particularly in the PRM where cdt was reduced 4-8- and 6-1-fold at 10 and 20 °C, respectively, but only 2-fold at 30 °C. In the Swedish population at ambient [CO₂], there were no consistent temperature-dependent alterations to cdt and this population was less responsive to elevated [CO₂] than the Portuguese population. Nevertheless, elevated [CO₂] resulted in a significant shortening of the cdt for some of the zones; the maximum reduction occurred in the PRM at 30 °C. We concluded that in the shoot apex of the Portuguese population, and most notably in the PRM, 10 and 20 °C were non-optimal temperatures for cell division, whilst the Swedish population was relatively buffered against temperature change. Elevated [CO₂] resulted in substantially greater reductions in cdts in the shoot meristem of the Portuguese population than in that of the Swedish population.     

A CYTOPHOTOMETRIC STUDY OF NUCLEIC ACIDS AND PROTEINS IN THE SHOOT APEX OF WHITE SPRUCE

During the annual three-phase growth cycle of white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] the vegetative shoot apex changed in anatomical configuration. Relative amounts of DNA, histones, RNA, and proteins were measured in three cytohistological zones and were related to the anatomical changes during ontogeny. An extended period of DNA synthesis (S) and G₂ preceded an increase in the number of apical initial cells which were part of the mammillary apex. While DNA and histones were generally synchronous during ontogeny, the ratio of DNA to histone increased on June 20. This loss of histone and subsequent increases in RNA and cytoplasmic proteins preceded the appearance of needle primordia on next year's apex. We propose that induction of the apex to reorganize and form needle primordia occurred when the DNA was in a 2C condition, following the loss of histone on June 20.     

A unique regulatory profile and regional distribution of [3H]pirenzepine binding in the rat provide evidence for distinct M1 and M2 muscarinic receptor subtypes

We recently demonstrated that the non-classical muscarinic receptor antagonist [³H]pirenzepine ([³H]PZ) identifies a high affinity population of muscarinic sites in the rat cerebral cortex. We now report that cortical muscarinic sites to which [³H]PZ binds with high affinity are modulated by ions but not guanine nucleotides. We also have examined equilibrium [³H]PZ binding in homogenates of various rat tissues using a new rapid filtration assay. All regional saturation isotherms yielded a similar high affinity dissociation constant (K_d = 2 ? 8 nM) in 10 mM sodium-potassium phosphate buffer. Receptor density (B_max in fmol/mg tissue) varied as follows: corpus striatum = 154.5, cerebral cortex = 94.6, hippocampus = 94.3, ileum = 1.3, cerebellum = 1.0, and heart = 0.45. The cerebral cortex and hippocampus possess 61 percent of striatal binding sites, while the ileum, cerebellum and heart contain only 0.84 percent, 0.65 percent and 0.29 percent of striatal sites respectively. The [³H]PZ sites in heart, ileum, and cerebellum represent 3.1 percent, 9.6 percent, and 10.4 percent of the sites obtained by using [³H](?)quinuclidinyl benzilate. Thus, [³H]PZ labels high affinity muscarinic receptor binding sites with a tissue distribution compatible with the concept of distinct M₁ and M₂ receptor subtypes. Accordingly, regions such as heart, cerebellum, and ileum would be termed M₂, though each have an extremely small population of the M₁ high affinity [³H]PZ site. [³H]PZ therefore appears to be a useful ligand for M₁ receptor identification. Furthermore, the inability to demonstrate a significant effect of guanine nucleotides upon high affinity [³H]PZ binding to putative M₁ receptors suggests that M₁ sites may be independent of a guanine regulatory protein.     

CHANGE IN EPILOBIUM PHYLLOTAXY DURING REPRODUCTIVE TRANSITION

The ontogeny of Epilobium hirsutum grown under natural summer photoperiod in a glasshouse was divided into vegetative, early transitional, transitional, and floral stages. Bijugate phyllotaxy, common to both the vegetative and early transitional stages, is transformed into spiral phyllotaxy during the transitional stage by an initial change in the divergence angle of a single primordium inserted at a unique level on the shoot. Leaf primordia subsequently are inserted in a spiral arrangement in the indeterminate floral shoot apex. The early transitional shoot apical meristem is about 1.5 times the volume of the vegetative meristem but expands at about two-thirds the relative plastochron rate of volume increment of the vegetative meristem. There are progressive decreases in the plastochron and relative plastochron rates of radial and vertical shoot growth through ontogeny. Relative chronological rates of shoot growth, however, are not altered during ontogeny. Spiral transformation results from changes in the relative points of insertion of leaf primordia on the shoot meristem. These changes are accompanied by an increased rate of primordia initiation on a more circular shoot meristem. The change in phyllotaxy during ontogeny is similar to that which was artificially induced by chemical modification of auxin concentration gradients in the shoot apex, with the additional feature that there is an initial increase in the volume of the shoot meristem prior to the natural spiral transformation. Size of the shoot apical meristem, however, appears to have little influence on Epilobium phyllotaxy; but the geometric shape of the meristem is well correlated with bijugate to spiral transformations. This suggests that geometric parameters of the shoot meristem should be considered in theoretical models of phyllotaxy.     

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SHOOT GROWTH AND CHANGING PHYLLOTAXY OF RANUNCULUS

Growth of Ranunculus shoots through ontogeny is quantified by techniques utilizing scanning electron microscopy and studies on living plant material. The order of the contact parastichy phyllotaxy in the apical system is related to the relative plastochron rates of growth of the shoot. There is a change in the (2, 3) contact parastichy pattern of vegetative phyllotaxy to a transitional (3, 5) contact pattern which is maintained through sepal production. Formation of a 5(1, 1) whorl of petal primordia establishes a (5, 8) contact pattern with the sepal primordia. Subsequent initiation of stamen primordia, in spiral sequence, results in (5, 8, 13) triple contacts between petal and stamen primordia. The stamen primordia and carpel primordia arrangement is characterized by a (8, 13) contact parastichy pattern of phyllotaxy. Through ontogeny the volume of the shoot apex progressively increases but the shape of the apex, described by a second degree polynomial, remains constant. The plastochron and the relative plastochron rates of radial and vertical displacement of primordia progressively decrease during transition but there is no alteration of the chronological rate of apical expansion. The change in contact parastichy phyllotaxy through ontogeny is interpreted as a change in the relative positions of primordia insertion on the apex resulting from an increase in apical volume and an increased rate of primordia initiation.     

Topography of pleural epithelial structure enabled by en face isolation and machine learning

Pleural epithelial adaptations to mechanical stress are relevant to both normal lung function and parenchymal lung diseases. Assessing regional differences in mechanical stress, however, has been complicated by the nonlinear stress–strain properties of the lung and the large displacements with ventilation. Moreover, there is no reliable method of isolating pleural epithelium for structural studies. To define the topographic variation in pleural structure, we developed a method of en face harvest of murine pleural epithelium. Silver-stain was used to highlight cell borders and facilitate imaging with light microscopy. Machine learning and watershed segmentation were used to define the cell area and cell perimeter of the isolated pleural epithelial cells. In the deflated lung at residual volume, the pleural epithelial cells were significantly larger in the apex (624 ± 247 μm²) than in basilar regions of the lung (471 ± 119 μm²) (p < 0.001). The distortion of apical epithelial cells was consistent with a vertical gradient of pleural pressures. To assess epithelial changes with inflation, the pleura was studied at total lung capacity. The average epithelial cell area increased 57% and the average perimeter increased 27% between residual volume and total lung capacity. The increase in lung volume was less than half the percent change predicted by uniform or isotropic expansion of the lung. We conclude that the structured analysis of pleural epithelial cells complements studies of pulmonary microstructure and provides useful insights into the regional distribution of mechanical stresses in the lung.     

Short-term experimental acidification of a Welsh stream: comparing the biological effects of hydrogen ions and aluminium

SUMMARY. 1. A soft-water stream iti upland Wales was dosed with sulphuric acid and aluminiutn sulphate at two successive points to create sitnultaneous episodes of low pH, and low pH with increased aluminiutn. Chemical atid biological responses were measured before, during and after the episode and were compared with a reference zone. 2. The pH fell frotn ～7.0 to 4.28 (±0.18 SD) and 5.02 (±0.10) respectively in the acid and aluminium zones. Corresponding aluminium concentrations during the episode were 0.052 g Al m^?3 (±0.008) and 0.347 g Al nr³ (±0.047), the former not differing significantly from the reference zone. The concentration of cadmium rose to 0.002- 0.011 g Cd m^?3in both treated areas, but the concentrations of other metals were unchanged. 3. In situ toxicity tests were performed with macroinvertebrates and fish. Chironomus riparius. Hydropsyche angustipennis and Dinocras cephalotes suffered no mortality. Ecdyonurus venosus, Baetis rhodani and Gammarus pulex showed up to 25% mortality in both treatment zones and further mortalities occurred after the episode. Brown trout Salmo trutta and salmon Valmo salar s howed 7–10% mortality in the acid zone, but 50–87% in the aluminium zone, where salmon had a significantly shorter LT₅₀than trout. 4. The drift of Simuliidae increased during treatment in both acid and aluminium zones. Drift densities of Dixa puherula, Protonemura meyeri, Ephemeralla ignita and Dicranota sp. increased in the aluminium zone. The most pronounced response was by Baetis rhodani in the aluminium zone where drift density increased by ×8.4 during the episode. 5. Baetis rhodani was the only taxon to show a significant decline in benthic density during the treatment, and then only in the aluminium zone. Drift could account for most of the losses. 6. The depth distribution of invertebrates in the substratum differed between zones following treatment. More individuals were present at the surface of the reference zone (1287 m^?2±747) than at the surface of the other zones (<400 m^?2); however, densities at greater depths were similar. These patterns probably reflected differences prior to the treatments.     

Prey-Dependent Cell Size In A Protozoan Predator*

SYNOPSIS. the cell size of Didinium nasutum was found to be dependent on the size of the Paramecium species available as prey. Didinium feeding on P. tetraurelia averaged 5.6 × 10⁵μm³. the cell volume of Didinium increased with increasing prey size for the 5 prey species tested, to 9.1 × 10⁵μm³ for Didinium feeding on P. caudatum. Didinium nearing a cell division ranged in size from 8.6 × 10⁵μm³ on P. tetraurelia to 12.9 × 10⁵μm³ on P. caudatum. the range in cell volume is such that Didinium feeding on P. caudatum are larger than the size at which Didinium divide when feeding on P. tetraurelia. This morphologic plasticity in cell volume allows Didinium to exploit a wide size range of Paramecium species as prey. It is proposed that the size of a Didinium may have profound effects on its ability to encounter and capture prey of different sizes.     

The buoyancy of the integument of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): Effects of growth,reproduction, and nutritional state

In Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) the thickness and lipid content of blubber (the integument's specialized hypodermis) varies across ontogeny and with reproductive and nutritional state. Because the integument comprises up to 25% of total body mass in this species, ontogenetic changes in its lipid content may influence whole body buoyancy. The density and volume of the integument were measured and its buoyancy calculated across an ontogenetic series of dolphins and in pregnant and emaciated adults (total n= 45). Regional differences between the metabolically labile trunk integument and the structural tailstock integument were also investigated. Mean densities of both trunk and tailstock integument were similar across life history categories (trunk = 1,040.7 ± 14.1 kg/m³; tailstock = 1,077.1 ± 21.2 kg/m³) and were statistically similar to the density of seawater (1,026 kg/m³). The mean buoyant force of integument from the trunk (−1.01 ± 1.74 N) and tailstock (−0.30 ± 0.21 N) did not vary significantly across ontogeny. In contrast, pregnancy and emaciation did influence the integument's buoyancy, which ranged between 9 N and −45 N in these categories. Although neutral during growth, the integument's contribution to whole body buoyancy can be influenced by an individual's reproductive and nutritional status.     

Microplanktonic distributional patterns west of the Antarctic Peninsula,with special emphasis on the Tintinnids

Summary Microplankton was sampled with a centrifugal suction pump in the surface layer (approx. 9 m) of the Bellingshausen Sea and the Bransfield Strait in March 1987, and concentrated with a 26m-mesh net. Bulk microplanktonic settling volumes were assessed, silicoflagellates and large thecate dinoflagellates were counted, and tintinnids were counted and identified to species. Average (and maximum) values for the entire area surveyed were as follows, settling volume: 6.7 (43.3) ml/m³; silicoflagellates: 674 (7777) ind./l, 0.57 (6.54) mg C/m³; dinoflagellates: 109 (1321) ind./l, 1.40 (16.98) mg C/m³; tintinnids: 52 (589) ind./l, 1.15 (9.87) mg C/m³. The three geographic zones defined objectively on the basis of tintinnid specific assemblages also differed sharply in their surface salinity, overall microplanktonic abundance and bulk settling volume. The Bransfield Strait, with lowest settling volume values (2.1 ml/m³) and cell concentrations, was characterized by the dominance of Cymatocylis affinis/convallaria. In waters around the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula microplanktonic settling volumes averaged 4.6 ml/m³, cell concentrations were intermediate, and 79% of the tintinnids were represented by Codonellopsis balechi. The Bellingshausen Sea was characterized by the lowest salinities and the highest settling volumes (8.7 ml/m³) and cell counts; Laackmanniella spp. and Cymatocylis drygalskii, f. typica dominated this area. Almost all biological variables were significantly intercorrelated, and showed strong and mostly significant negative correlations with surface salinity, yet relationships between enhanced standing stock and ice meltwater were not obvious; rather, highest microplanktonic concentrations seemed to be due to ice-associated growth. Extremely high spatial correlations were found between the tintinnids and the dinoflagellates (r²: 0.941), suggesting the existence of close links between these two groups. Tintinnid species-specific assemblages show a coherent distributional pattern and well defined environment-related trends; most clearly differentiated preferences are exhibited by Laackmanniella prolongata (closely associated with ice-covered areas), Cymatocylis affinis/convallaria (oligotrophic open-ocean waters), and Codonellopsis balechi (coastal regions).     

FOLIAR ONTOGENY AND HISTOGENESIS IN MAGNOLIA GRANDIFLORA L. I. APICAL ORGANIZATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT

Foliar ontogeny of Magnolia grandiflora was studied to elucidate possible unique features of evergreen leaves and their development. The apex of Magnolia grandiflora is composed of a biseriate or triseriate tunica overlying a central initial zone, a peripheral zone and a pith rib meristem. Leaf primordia are initiated by periclinal divisions on the apical flank of the tunica in its second layer. This initiation and expansion is seasonal just as in related deciduous magnolias. Following leaf initiation, a foliar buttress is formed and the leaf base gradually extends around the apex. As growth continues, separation of the leaf blade primordium from the stipule proceeds by intensified anticlinal divisions in the surface and subsurface layers near the base. Marginal growth begins in the blade primordium when it reaches approximately 200 μm in height and results in the formation of two wing-like extensions, the lamina. This young blade remains in a conduplicately folded position next to the stipule until bud break.     

EARLY HISTOGENESIS AND SEMIQUANTITATIVE HISTOCHEMISTRY OF LEAF INITIATION IN TRITICUM AESTIVUM

The shoot apex of Triticum aestivum cv. Ramona 50 was investigated histologically to describe cell lineages and events during leaf initiation. During histogenesis three periclinal divisions occurred in the first apical layer, with one or two divisions in the second apical layer. This sequence of cell divisions initially occurred in one region and spread laterally in both directions to encircle the meristem. Cells of the third apical layer were not involved in leaf histogenesis. Initially, young leaf primordia were produced from daughter cells of periclinal divisions in the two outer apical layers. Nuclear contents of protein, histone, and RNA in the shoot apex were evaluated as ratios to DNA by means of semiquantitative histochemistry. Daughter cells of periclinal divisions in the outer apical layer which produced the leaf primordia had higher histone/DNA ratios than cells of the remaining meristem. However, protein/DNA and RNA/DNA ratios were similar in both regions. Leaf initial cells had a higher ³H-thymidine labeling index, a higher RNA synthesis rate, and smaller nuclear volumes than cells of the residual apical meristem.     

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND CELL SIZE OF MARINE DIATOMS12

Three photosynthetic parameters of 7 species of marine diatoms were studied using Na₂¹⁴CO₃ at 5–8 C using log phase axenic cultures. The cell volumes of the different species varied from 70 μm³ to 40 × 10⁵μm³. The present experiment is consistent with the interpretation that the initial slope α (mg C · [mg chl a]^?1· h^?1· w^?1· m²) of photosynthesis vs. light curves is controlled by self-shading of chlorophyll a in the cell. Pm, the rate of photosynthesis at light saturation (mg C · [mg cell, C]^?1· h^?1) and R, the intercept at zero light intensity (mg C · [mg cell C]^?1· H^?1) are both dependent on the ratio of surface area to volume of cell.     

THE SHOOT APICAL ONTOGENY OF THE PICEA ABIES SEEDLING. III. SOME AGE-RELATED ASPECTS OF MORPHOGENESIS

We have extended our previous analyses of growth in shoot apices of Picea abies seedlings. Quantification of apical dome volume changes, more detailed analysis of the subapical caulis profile, and of the vertical distance from the base of the dome to the nth primordium, all as functions of age, revealed the dynamics of various growth variables. As seedlings age from 10 to 136 days, apical dome volume increases about 30-fold, plastochron duration declines from 31 h to about 5 h, height of primordial internodes declines from near 10 μm, to only 3.5 μm, and the caulis assumes a distinct neck-and-shoulder profile. Relative volume growth rates for the apical dome as a whole are about twice the base-of-dome values and decline from 36% to 21% per day as age increases to 136 days. Relative growth rates (radial, vertical, and volume) in the caulis change in a complex manner with both plant age and internode number. We also computed the total volume of tissue generated by an apical dome per day including that part invested in increased dome volume. The investment (ϕ) ratio is greater than 20% in the 10-day dome, but declines rapidly to become negative after 136 days. The ϕ ratio controls apical dome volume and hence augurs future growth yield.     

Schistosoma mansoni: Characterization of the electrical potential from the tegument of adult males

An electrical potential having a value of ?35 mV (SD = 7.4) is recorded upon penetration of the ventral surface of adult male Schistosoma mansoni with a microelectrode. Histological studies using horseradish peroxidase as a marker injected iontophoretically through the recording electrode indicate that this potential originates in the tegumental epithelium. Recordings from animals with contractile activity showed spontaneous nonovershooting depolarizations with durations of 20 to 100 msec and amplitudes between 5 and 15 mV. Slow-wave depolarizations are also observed and are most frequent in animals showing only slight movement. The tegumental membrane potential appears to be dependent primarily on the K⁺ gradient across the surface since a 10-fold increase in external K⁺ causes a 30-mV change in the potential. Altering the external concentration of Cl^? has little effect on the tegumental potential, but lowering the external Na⁺ concentration to 37 mM causes a 10-mV depolarization. Praziquantel (PZ) has little initial effect on the tegumental membrane potential. A slow depolarization does occur, however, which reaches a significant level about 10 min after PZ (1 μM). Carbachol and dopamine are without significant effects on the tegumental membrane potential.     

Patterns in the structural homeostasis of cardiomyocytes

Results of quantitative analysis of the ultrastructura organization (UO) of animal (rabbit, rat, dog) and human cardiomyocytes carried out by means of the point method are presented. A number of stereometric constants which provide structural cardiomyocyte homeostasis (SCH) were revealed: the sum total mitochondrial (MT) and myofibril (MF) volume is a constant value- a "cardiomyocytic constant" (Vmt + Vmf=Kcm); the total growth of MT and MF volumes in different functional states is equal to "0" (dVmt + dVmf=0); adaptational MT and MF rearrangement takes place during an interval of 11% of the volume (deltaVmt=deltaVmf=11 percent; the SCH is maintained by the changes of the UO within the limits of the law of "constancy of volume interrelations" (80; 10; 10), according to which 80 percent of the volume falls on Kcm, 10 percent of the remaining organellae and cell inclusions (Vi) and 10 percent on the plasma cell (Vpl). The assumption on a possibility of universality of the stereometric constants is suggested.     

A HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF THE SEEDLING SHOOT APICAL MERISTEM OF PINUS LAMBERTIANA

Vernalized seeds of Pinus lambertiana were scarified and planted in perlite. At 5, 8, 10, 13 and 16 days after planting, seedlings were selected for morphological examination and histochemical study. The shoot apical meristem consisted of a relatively homogeneous population of cells at 5 days. Cytohistological zonation was observed in the meristem by the eighth day and needle primordia initiation began at this time. Acid phosphatase (AP) activity was high in the extreme tip of the apex at 5 days. At 8 days AP activity was intense in the peripheral zone but weak in the apical initial and central mother cell zones. The apical meristem of the 10–16-day-old seedlings exhibited high AP activity in the peripheral zone only during the early stages of needle primordia initiation. The distribution of cytoplasmic and nuclear protein-bound SH was correlated with cytohistological zonation. Protein-bound SH was distributed relatively uniformly at 5 days, but by the eighth day the 4 cytohistological zones contained differential quantities. Succinic dehydrogenase (SD) activity was observed throughout the apex at 5 days, but by the eighth day the apical initial and central mother cell zones exhibited differentially greater levels of SD activity. Irradiation with 500 R of X-rays at 7 days after planting completely inhibited needle primordia initiation and disrupted the cytohistological zonation of the apex. Correlated with the inhibition of needle primordia initiation was the loss of SD activity in the apical initial and central mother cell zones. Irradiation also resulted in the gradual loss of protein-bound SH from the cytoplasm of the apical initial, central mother cell and peripheral zone.