The ultrastructure of developing wings in the giant silkmoth, Hyalophora cecropia. II. Scale-forming and socket-forming cells

In wings of the giant silkmoth, Hyalophora cecropia, scale-forming and socket-forming cells are first observed on day four of pharate adult development. Scale-forming cells appear synthetically active when they are first observed, for their basal region is filled with huge stacks of polyribosome-studed lamellate endoplasmic reticulum, numerous Golgi complexes containing secretory vesicles and many elongated mitochondria. During later development, some of these organelles diminish in number. Neck and scale regions are predominantly filled with longitudinally oriented microtubules and microfibril bundles, suggesting that their function is one of transport rather than synthesis. The scales originate as finger-like projections of the cell body. They subsequently elongate, flatten out and deposit a cuticle which has a surface differing somewhat from that in other lepidopterans. It consists of longitudinal ridges (1.8-2.4 μ apart), transverse ribs (0.6-1.0 μ apart) and microribs (0.10-0.13 μ apart). Socket-forming cells produce a socket around the neck region of each scale-forming cell. The socket differentiates into several morphologically distinct regions: an apical fibrillar region, a ribosomal region, a mitochondrial-microtubular region and a basal fibrillar region. The absence of polyribosome-studded lamellae of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes suggests that its primary function is not biosynthesis but support and protection of the scale.     

Carbohydrates in the epidermal mucous cells of a fresh-water fish Mastacembelus pancalus (mastacembelidae,Pisces) as studied by electron-microscopic cytochemical methods

Carbohydrates in the mucous cells of the epidermis of the fish Mastacembelus pancalus were studied by means of electron-microscopic cytochemical methods using physical development procedures. Three types of mucous cells (types A-C) were differentiated on the basis of the reactivities of the secretory products elaborated by them. The carbohydrate contents of mucous globules predominantly comprised sulfate esters and traces of oxidizable vicinal diols in type-A cells, oxidizable vicinal diols in type-B cells, and moderate amounts of both sulfate esters and oxidizable vicinal diols in type-C cells. Glycogen particles were also found to occur in the cytoplasm of these cells, and glycoproteins containing oxidizable vicinal diols were visualized in Golgi cisternae, rough endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear envelopes, and plasma membranes. In the type-A and type-B cells situated in the superficial layers of the epidermis, extensive cisternae of the Golgi apparatus and copious rough endoplasmic reticulum suggested the active syntheses of secretory contents, in contrast to the type-C mucous cells, which displayed poor development of these organelles, in the deeper layers.     

Ultrafine structure of the integument of the tick Hyalomma asiaticum P. Sch. et E. Schl. in starvation and feeding]

Integument fine structure of H. asiaticum nymphs during their feeding and starvation has been studied. In hungry nymphs hypoderma has an ultrastructure typical for hypodermal cells of arthropods in the intermoulting period and is characterized by a poor development of granular endoplasmic reticulum, small number of mitochondrial and absence of Golgi complexes. The apical surface of the cells is covered with short irregularly scattered microvilli. The cuticle consists of the procuticle, which has a homogenous fine-granular structure, and four-layered epicuticle. During the feeding period hypodermal cells greatly increase in volume and the elements of granular endoplasmic reticulum and metachondria increase in number. Golgi complexes and a variety of apical vesicles have been observed. The number of microvilli on the apical surface increases that is accompanied by a cuticle growth. Procuticle, which is being formed within this period, has a lamellar structure.     

The secretion of collagen by insects: uptake of [3H]proline by collagen-synthesizing cells in Locusta migratoria and Galleria mellonella.

The uptake of [H3]proline by collagen-secreting cells of the locust, Locusta migratoria, and wax-moth, Galleria mellonella, has been investigated by electron autoradiography. The locust cells are around the ejaculatory duct and they secrete collagen in the young adult male, while the wax-moth cells are those which produce the dorsal mass of connective tissue on the abdominal nerve cord during the late pupal stage. The cells were exposed to [H3]proline either by injection of the [3H]proline into the insect, or as a pulse while the tissue was maintained in a culture medium. The tissues were fixed at differeing experimental times after exposure to the [3H]proline. The resulting electron autoradiographs were subjected to quantitative analysis, and the silver grain distribution was determined as the relative number of grains per unit area over a series of tissue compartments. When the results of this analysis for the matrix, rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes of the two tissues were plotted against experimental time, it was seen that the relative number of grains per unit area over the rough endoplasmic reticulum decreases while that over the matrix increases; statistical analysis has shown that these changes are significant. For the Golgi complexes, however, the theoretical variances are much greater, due to the small relative area occupied by this organelle. There is little evidence for anything other than random sampling fluctuations in the relative numbers of grains per unit area, and hence it is unlikely that the time course of the label over the Golgi complexes follows that over the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The conclusions drawn from these experiments are firstly that a large portion of the labelled protein passes straight from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the matrix, but that a smaller portion of the labelled material might pass from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi complexes and thence to the matrix. It is assumed that collagen comprises most of the protein which passes straight from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the matrix, and while there is no evidence to exclude collagen from the material passing through the Golgi complexes, it is probable that other proteins and glycosaminoglycans are also present in this labelled material. These conclusions about the intracellular pathway for collagen secretion are similar to those derived from recent studies of some vertebrate fibroblasts. There is, however, conflicting opinion about the intracellular pathway of collagen and it is pointed out that there is diversity in collagen-synthesizing cells, which may account for the differences in the intracellular pathways for collagen secretion which have been proposed.     

Ultrastructure of the nymphal integument in the camel tick Hyalomma (Hyalomma) dromedarii (Ixodoidea: Ixodidae)

The ultrastructure of the nymphal integument in the ixodid tick Hyalomma (Hyalomma) dromedarii is compared for stages of development during and after feeding, and up to the first step of molting, apolysis. The integument comprises a cuticular layer and underlying epidermal cells. The body cuticle, which consists of both sclerotized and non-sclerotized parts, is divided into an outer, thin epicuticle, and an inner, thick, fibrillar procuticle. Pore canals in the procuticle are continuous with wax canals which traverse the epicuticle. As feeding progresses, the parallel, extensible epicuticular folds disappear due to the gut filling with ingested blood. The procuticular zone, however, becomes subdivided into an exocuticle, similar to the previously seen procuticle, and a lamellate endocuticle. Pore canals lose their parallel pattern and appear to have become deformed by stretching of the cuticle. The flat epidermal cells grow asynchronously during feeding; their cytoplasm becomes packed with well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), while the cell apices project long microvilli extending deep into the procuticle. The RER undergoes ultrastructural changes indicating synthetic activity. Dense material released through the microvilli may serve to lyse the endocuticle and thus cause separation of the cuticle from the epidermis during apolysis. The lysed area, the exuvial cavity, is filled with lysed components which are probably withdrawn by endocytosis into the apical coated vesicles which appear in epidermal cells. Two types of integumental glands, which may participate in wax production, are observed in this study. The ultrastructure of their previously undescribed cuticular ducts is described, in addition to other hypodermal structures including epidermis-muscle attachments and sensory receptors.     

Ultrastructural changes in the liver of the sand lamprey,Lampetra reissneri,during sexual maturation

Ultrastructural changes of hepatocytes were examined in the sand lamprey,Lampetra reissneri, during various phases of the life cycle. In hepatocytes of ammocoetes, the rough endoplasmic reticulum was composed of short cisternae and the Golgi apparatus were scarcely developed, showing no sexual differences at this stage of life cycle. In hepatocytes of female lampreys at the metamorphic stages 4 to 5, the rough endoplasmic reticulum was developed to form long parallel cisternae and the Golgi apparatus were well-developed. The rough endoplasmic reticulum developed further to form stacks of long parallel cisternae extending over the cytoplasm in hepatocytes of females at the young adult stage, and became composed of both long parallel and vesicular cisternae in the cells of females at the adult stage. The Golgi apparatus were invariably welldeveloped in hepatocytes of young adult and adult females. No consipcuous development was observed in profiles of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus in hepatocytes of males during and after metamorphosis. The ultrastructural changes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus observed in hepatocytes of female sand lampreys are considered to have an intimate relation to the activity of vitellogenin synthesis in the liver, and it is suggested that the hepatocytes begin to rapidly synthesize vitellogenin in the sand lamprey at the metamorphic stages 4 to 5.     

The persistence of Golgi complexes during cell division in an insect epidermis

The Golgi complexes of animal cells are said to become vesicular during cell division in order to allow the equal partitioning of organelles between daughter cells (Warren, 1985). However, in the epidermis of fifth stage larval Calpodes ethlius (Lepidoptera, Hesperi idae), cutical deposition is concurrent with cell division in preparation for pupation. We therefore looked at the Golgi complexes of these epidermal cells to see if they maintained their interphase form to allow them to continue to function during cell division. Dividing cells were recognized by changes in the nucleus and nuclear envelope, the form of the cell cortex and cell surface, and by the disposition of microtubules. Epidermal Golgi complexes consist of 3-5 cisternae capped by endoplasmic reticulum with transfer vesicles and rings of GC beads next to the cis face, and secretory vesicles on the trans face. Golgi complexes of dividing cells are structurally indistinguishable from those in interphase, their beads are in the rings characteristic of active GCs, and cuticle continues in uninterrupted lamellae above the apical microvilli. The observations suggest that Golgi complexes in dividing insect cells differ from those of most vertebrates by remaining functional through mitosis.     

Mechanisms of alpha-fetoprotein synthesis in hepatoma cells. Combined electron microscopic immunocytochemistry and autoradiography

Immunoreaction of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was detected not only in well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma but also in hepatocytes forming foci in livers with hyperplastic nodules during 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene hepatocarcinogenesis. The subcellular location of AFP in hepatoma cells was in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, perinuclear space and well-developed Golgi apparatus around the nucleus. In livers with hyperplastic nodules it was also in some parts of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi regions in hepatocytes in the vicinity of submembranous areas or bile canaliculi. These findings suggest that the Golgi apparatus in hepatoma cells acts mainly as an organelle for glycosylation of AFP and that the Golgi complexes in the hepatocytes in livers with hyperplastic nodules are organelles for secretion of AFP. Combined light microscopic immunoperoxidase study and autoradiography with 3H-thymidine revealed a higher cumulative labeling index in AFP-positive hepatoma cells than in non-tumorous areas. Combined electron microscopic immunoperoxidase study and autoradiography showed that hepatoma cells with AFP immunoreactivity only in the rough endoplasmic reticulum had a significantly higher labeling index than did cells with AFP immunoreactivity in both rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. These findings suggest that AFP is synthesized in hepatoma cells before or during the stage of their DNA synthesis and is then transported to the Golgi apparatus.     

The development of a collagenous connective tissue in the locust, Locusta migratoria

The ejaculatory duct of adult male locusts is surrounded by a thick layer of collagenous tissue. It starts to develop during the second instar when a group of cells come to lie adjacent to the basal regions of the epidermal cells which form the duct. From the fourth instar onwards, connective tissue is present between these cells. The matrix contains many collagen fibrils, some of which are very large and of irregular cross section. The banding periodicity is about 625 A. The cells differentiate into typical fibroblasts with highly dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and small Golgi complexes. In the sexually mature adult, the cells are smaller and appear less active.     

滞育和非滞育棉铃虫前胸腺的形态解剖学比较研究

该文用解剖镜和电子显微镜对滞育和非滞育棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera前胸腺的形态解剖结构进行了比较研究。结果发现滞育棉铃虫的前胸腺细胞及其细胞间隙相对较小,不易着色,细胞核规则,较小,细胞质中几乎见不到光滑内质网和粗面内质网,线粒体极少,这些观察到的现象充分说明滞育棉铃虫的前胸腺活性较低。     

Juvenile hormone-controlled vitellogenin synthesis in Locusta migratoria fat body: Cytological development

Cytological development in the fat body of adult female Locusta migratoria, related to vitellogenin synthesis, has been studied by light and electron microscopy. In the newly-emerged adult, the cells are filled with lipid droplets, which indent the nucleus, and with fields of glycogen, while ribosomes and endoplasmic reticulum are scarce. Correlated with the onset of vitellogenin synthesis, about day 8 of adult life, the nucleus enlarges, lipid droplets and glycogen decrease, and rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes become the most abundant organelles. These changes reflect a conversion of the principal role of the fat body from nutrient storage to the synthesis and secretion of protein. They are prevented by allatectomy, and restored by subsequent treatment with the juvenile hormone analogue, ZR-515. Late in the first gonotrophic cycle, about day 20, dense bodies, vesicle-containing bodies and lysosomes are seen, indicating recycling of cellular materials. Five days after ZR-515 treatment, when protein synthesis has declined, the rough endoplasmic reticulum appears in arrays adjacent to lipid droplets, possibly awaiting reactivation. By the use of ferritin-labelled antivitellin immunoglobulin, vitellogenin has been localized intracellularly in the RER saccules and Golgi vesicles, and extracellularly in channels between the folded plasma membranes, showing sites of accumulation and secretion of this protein.     

Diapause-dependent changes in prothoracicotropic hormone-producing neurons of the tobacco hornworm,Manduca sexta

The prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), which stimulates ecdysteroid synthesis in the prothoracic glands, is produced, in the dorso-lateral protocerebrum of Manduca sexta, by paired peptidergic neurons, the lateral neurosecretory cell group III (L-NSC III). Our study revealed ultrastructural features of L-NSC III, identified by immunogold labeling, and compared developing and diapause states. In developing and early-diapause pupae, L-NSC III soma ultrastructure is similar and is characterized by numerous clusters of neurosecretory granules (NSG) and an extensive trophospongium formed by satellite-glial cells. However, as diapause progresses, the ultrastructure changes, with the NSG becoming concentrated into large clusters separated by highly organized rough endoplasmic reticulum. Most conspicuous is a substantial reduction in the number of Golgi complexes and the glial trophospongium, and the presence of stacked plasma membrane separating the glia and neuron somata. The deep-diapause soma also has abundant glycogen deposits and autophagic vacuoles. With diapause termination, this morphology reverts to the nondiapause ultrastructure within three days, i.e. just before PTTH release that evokes development to the adult. During PTTH release the abundance of NSG in the soma does not change, suggesting that NSG depletion in the perikarya is not a marker for neurosecretion by the L-NSC III.     

Binding of rat liver and hepatoma polyribosomes to stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum in vitro. Biological or an artifact?

Exposed thiol groups do not appear to be related to the binding of (32)P-labelled polyribosomes to stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum in vitro. Treating stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum with GSSG did not diminish binding of polyribosomes, suggesting that binding in vitro has no correlation with the inhibition of protein synthesis in vitro reported by Kosower et al. (1971). Thiol reagents, which are known to dissociate ribosomes, did not significantly decrease binding of (32)P-labelled polyribosomes to stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum. Denaturing the protein of (32)P-labelled polyribosomes or stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum of liver or hepatoma with heat, trichloroacetic acid, or HClO(4) did not alter the binding in vitro. Therefore, the practice of measuring the binding of (32)P-labelled polyribosomes to stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum in vitro (Shires et al., 1971b) is an unsuitable indicator of biological significance in the intact cell.     

Floral nectary ultrastructure of Prunus persica (L.) Batch cv. Forastero (Newcomer), an Argentine peach

 Flowers of Prunus persica (L.) Batch. cv. Forastero have an orange toral nectary. The nectariferous tissue was formed by densely packed parenchyma cells (secretory cells) and an epidermis with hairs and modified stomata. The epidermal cells were highly vacuolated with a striated cuticle. The ultrastructure of these cells contained a cytoplasm with endoplasmic reticulum, plastids, mitochondria and dictyosomes. Sub-epidermal cells were barely vacuolated and their ultrastructure was similar to that of the epidermal cells. Differences were observed only in the endoplasmic reticulum, which is organized in a parallel configuration. Plasmodesmata were found between adjacent secretory cells and between secretory and epidermal cells. An electron dense secretion occurred in the intercellular spaces and between the external tangential wall and the cuticle of the epidermal cells. According to the ultrastructural observations, the sugar solution could be passed through the symplast or the apoplast. The nectar could be exuded from the stomata and the micro-channels of the cuticle covering the epidermal cells. Received July 7, 2002; accepted September 24, 2002 Published online: June 2, 2003     

Cytochemical and fine structural analysis of oogenesis in the gastropod, Ilyanassa obsoleta

An analysis of differentiating oocytes of the gastropod, Ilyanassa obsoleta, has been made by techniques of light and electron microscopy. Early previtellogenic oocytes are limited by a smooth surfaced oolemma and are associated with each other by maculae adhaerentes. Previtellogenic oocytes are also distinguished by a large nucleus containing randomly dispersed aggregates of chromatin. Within the ooplasm are Golgi complexes, mitochondria and a few cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. When vitellogenesis begins, the oolemma becomes morphologically specialized by the formation of microvilli. One also notices an increase in the number of organelles and inclusions such as lipid droplets. During vitellogenesis there is a dilation of the saccules of the Golgi complexes and cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. Associated with the Golgi complexes are small protein-carbohydrate yolk precursors encompassed by a membrane. These increase in size by fusing with each other. The “mature” yolk body is a membrane-bounded structure with a central striated core and a granular periphery. At maturity a major portion of the ooplasmic constituents such as as mitochondria and lipid droplets occupy the animal region while the bulk of the population of yolk bodies are situated in the vegetal hemisphere. The follicle cells incompletely encompass the developing oocyte. In addition to the regularly occurring organelles, follicle cells are characterized by the presence of large quantities of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes whose saccules are filled with a dense substance. Associated with the Golgi saccules are secretory droplets of varied size. Amongst the differentiating oocytes and follicle cells are Leydig cells. These cells are characterized by a large vacuole containing glycogen. A possible function for the follicle and Leydig cells is discussed.     

Changes in the structure of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis intestinal cells during development from the free-living to the parasitic stages

The ultrastructure of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis intestinal cells was examined in free-living, feeding second-stage larvae, infective, nonfeeding third-stage larvae, and parasitic, feeding third-stage larvae. The intestinal cells of second-stage larvae were characterized by a well-developed microvillar border, large numbers of ribosomes, Golgi complexes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and nuclei with prominent nucleoli. The intestinal cells of infective, third-stage larvae had very few microvilli and the cells were extremely narrow. Few ribosomes, Golgi complexes, and little rough endoplasmic reticulum were present. Nuclei did not contain nucleoli. When worms were introduced into an in vitro culture system, development of intestinal cells began. By 36 hr, microvilli were well differentiated and the cysoplasm contained numerous ribosomes and Golgi complexes, and rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and nucleoli were prominent. These morphological changes were related to changes in the physiology of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis which occur during development from a free-living to parasitic form.     

A cytological study of the ovary of Rhodnius prolixus. I. The ontogeny of the follicular epithelium

The relatively undifferentiated cells comprising the prefollicular epithelium of the fourth and fifth instar of the reduvid bug Rhodninus prolixus are flattened and contain the regularly occurring organelles, lipid droplets, and aggregates of glycogen-like particles. These cells transform into the adult prefollicular tissue. During vitellogenesis there is a gradual shortening of the cells of the follicular epithelium and an increase in the size of the intercellular space between them and between follicle cells and oocyte. The follicle cells are binucleate, contain numerous microtubules, rough endoplasmic reticulum, many free and aggregate ribosomes, and Golgi complexes. They are associated with each other by gap junctions. Only the follicle cells on the lateral aspects of the oocyte exhibit the development of large extracellular spaces while those at the apical end, that produces the cap, remain tall and closely apposed to each other during vitellogenesis. The normal morphology of the follicle cells over various areas of the oocyte suggests that shape and/or volume changes of these cell may be important in regulating the access of yolk proteins to the colemma. Subsequent to vitellogenesis the follicle cells become cuboidal and once again become closely apposed to each other. They contain much rough endoplasmic reticulum and produce the secondary coat.     

Mechanisms of α-fetoprotein synthesis in hepatoma cells

Summary Immunoreaction of -fetoprotein (AFP) was detected not only in well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma but also in hepatocytes forming foci in livers with hyperplastic nodules during 3-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene hepatocarcinogenesis. The subcellular location of AFP in hepatoma cells was in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, perinuclear space and well-developed Golgi apparatus around the nucleus. In livers with hyperplastic nodules it was also in some parts of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi regions in hepatocytes in the vicinity of submembranous areas or bile canaliculi. These findings suggest that the Golgi apparatus in hepatoma cells acts mainly as an organelle for glycosylation of AFP and that the Golgi complexes in the hepatocytes in livers with hyperplastic nodules are organelles for secretion of AFP.Combined light microscopic immunoperoxidase study and autoradiography with ³H-thymidine revealed a higher cumulative labeling index in AFP-positive hepatoma cells than in non-tumorous areas. Combined electron microscopic immunoperoxidase study and autoradiography showed that hepatoma cells with AFP immunoreactivity only in the rough endoplasmic reticulum had a significantly higher labeling index than did cells with AFP immunoreactivity in both rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. These findings suggest that AFP is synthesized in hepatoma cells before or during the stage of their DNA synthesis and is then transported to the Golgi apparatus.     

Ultrastructural characteristics of insect corpora allata in relation to larval diapause

Summary The ultrastructure of active and inactive corpora allata from last instar larvae of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella, was examined. Active glands were obtained from pre-, early, and mid-diapausing larvae; inactive ones from late and non-diapausing larvae. Each gland contains 13 to 18 cells which have the following common features: well developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum, scattered rough endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosomes, microtubules, vacuolated nucleoli, and interlocking plasma membranes. The gland contains intercellular deposits, and is supplied by regular and neurosecretory axons.Special ultrastructural features of the corpus allatum from the five groups of larvae examined were as follows: pre-diapause: extensive vesicular smooth endoplasmic reticulum, numerous cup-shaped mitochondria and Golgi bodies with stacked cisterns and vesicles, few small lipid droplets, large nuclei with dispersed chromatin, absence of lysosomes; early diapause: stacked, whorled, and vesicular smooth endoplasmic reticulum of equal abundance, numerous rod-shaped mitochondria, some Golgi bodies but without distinct stacks of cisterns, few lipid droplets and lysosomes, chromatin dispersed and also attached to the nuclear envelope; mid-diapause: similar to early diapause except for the presence of more stacked, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, chromatin in large chunks mostly attached to the nuclear envelope; late diapause: whorled smooth endoplasmic reticulum and rod-shaped mitochondria predominating, complicated Golgi bodies with stacks of cisterns and large empty sacs, few large lipid droplets, some lysosomes containing mainly whorled bodies, chromatin in large chunks attached to the nuclear envelope; non-diapause: similar to late diapause except for less extensive smooth endoplasmic reticulum, more abundant mitochondria, fewer intercellular deposits. Although these observations suggest that the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and possibly mitochondria, and Golgi bodies are involved in juvenile hormone production, specific sites of synthesis or storage of the hormone were not revealed.Supported in part by grant no. PCM 74-18155 A01 from the National Science Foundation. Contribution from the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station as journal series no. 8234. We thank Ms. L. Yin for her skillful assistance, and Dr. M.F. Brown of the College of Agriculture Electron Microscope Facility for his advice and the use of equipment.     

A comparative study of the ultrastructure of resting and active cambium of Salix fragilis,L.

Summary Cells of the resting cambium contain vesiculate smooth endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes, oil droplets, and protein bodies. There are comparatively few vacuoles, and these are small. The nucleus is fairly central within the cell and is surrounded by a cluster of plastids and mitochondria. Active cambial cells and young differentiating xylem elements are highly vacuolate, contain rough endoplasmic reticulum and polyribosomes, the Golgi apparatus is active in the production of vesicles, and the distribution of organelles is a function of the vacuolation of the cell.It is suggested that the lipid droplets and protein bodies are storage materials which are required during the first stages of differentiation at the beginning of the growing period.