Ultrastructure of Sporothrix schenckii treated with iodine-potassium iodide solution

The ultrastructural changes produced by iodine-potassium iodide solution on yeast cells of Sporothrix schenckii were investigated by transmission electron microscopy in order to clarify the mechanism of oral potassium iodide therapy for sporotrichosis. Yeast cells were dipped with solutions containing various concentrations of iodine. The rate of germination decreased markedly between the range of iodine concentrations from 0.63 g/ml to 5.0 g/ml. No significant ultrastructural changes were seen at the concentration of the iodine of 1.25 g/ml (80% germination) or less. In the concentration of 2.5 g/ml (50% germination), normal cells and degenerated cells coexisted. When the cells were treated with 5.0 g of iodine per ml (0% germination) or more, their interior structures were completely destroyed. It is assumed that iodine treatment of the organism causes rapid destruction in the whole cell.     

Clonal propagation of Callistemon by tissue culture techniques

Callus development in Callistemon viminalis was readily achieved when axillary buds derived from nodal tissue were placed in a medium containing macro- and micro-nutrients, sucrose (0.06 M), inositol (300 M), nicotinic acid (20 M), pyridoxine hydrochloride (3 M), thiamine hydrochloride (2 M), riboflavin (10 M), cytokinins (5 M) and auxins (0.1 M). The presence of benzylaminopurine (5 M) and p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.1 M) promoted the most vigorous callus development and sprout formation. Rooting of nodal material was rare but occurred readily following the transference of sprouts developed on callus to a basal medium containing sucrose and salts. Root initiation was stimulated, however, by the presence of auxins. Chlorophenoxyacetic acid while stimulating root initiation repressed root growth. Indole butyric acid stimulated both root initiation and shoot growth at concentrations of 0.005 to 0.1 M. The treatment of choice for rooting and shoot growth was the addition of indole butyric acid at a concentration of 0.01 M.     

Pesticides and heavy metals in Danish streambed sediment

The role of streambed sediment as a sink for pesticides and heavy metals was investigated in 30 Danish lowland streams. The investigated streams drain catchments varying in hydrology, topography, soil type and land use. The <250 m newly accumulated fraction of the uppermost 1–2 cm layer of streambed sediment was analysed for 19 old and modern pesticides and 9 heavy metals. DDE was present in the sediment of all the streams. Of the herbicides, fungicides and insecticides currently in use, the most frequently detected was diuron (50.0%), fenpropimorph (66.7%) and lambda-cyhalothrin (6.7%), respectively. The pesticides detected in the highest concentration were fenpropimorph (1700 ng g^–1), propiconazole (130 ng g^–1) and isoproturon (110 ng g^–1). The heavy metals are listed in order of increasing median concentration: Cd (0.80 g g^–1), Co (9.1 g g^–1), As (12.0 g g^–1), Ni (19.0 g g^–1), Cr (19.2 g g^–1), Pb (19.7 g g^–1), Cu (20.1 g g^–1), V (28.5 g g^–1), Zn (103 g g^–1). The average number of pesticides detected in the 27 streams draining predominantly agricultural catchments was (3.7±2.0) being higher (p=0.077) than in the three streams draining non-agricultural catchments (1.7±0.6). Pesticides were significantly related to catchment size, soil type and hydrological regime. Several heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, V and Zn) were related to urban activity and soil type.     

Karyometry of nuclei in liver cells

Summary In untreated adult male albino rats nuclear volume and the percentage of binucleate cells were determined in the first layer of hepatocytes adjacent to hepatic venous branches of varying diameters (<40 m, 40 m–80 m, 80 m–120m, 120 m–160 m, >160 m), and in the third and fourth layer of hepatocytes in the remainder of the perivenous parenchyma. In the first layer of hepatocytes adjacent to the vascular structures means of nuclear volume are significantly lower and percentage of binucleate cells significantly higher than in the cells of the remainder of the perivenous parenchyma. Within each area measured distribution curves of nuclear volume classes were homogeneous but showed heterogeneity in comparison with each other. The morphometric data presented in this study strongly support the opinion of the heterogeneity of liver cells in the perivenous zone, as previously postulated on the basis of histochemical investigations.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Hi 318/2-1)     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in wild cotton (Gossypium klotzschianum)

A simple and efficient method for high frequency somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from hypocotyl-derived cultures and suspension cultures of Gossypium klotzschianum Anderss, a wild, diploid species of cotton is described here. Embryogenic cultures were induced from hypocotyl sections on MSB medium with 0.9 M 2,4-D and 2.32 M kinetin. MSB medium containing 0.045 M 2,4-D, 0.93 M kinetin, 2.46 M IBA promoted embryogenic culture proliferation and embryo development. Suspension cultures with 0.23 M 2,4-D and 0.93 M kinetin also produced many embryos. Somatic embryos cultured on MSB medium with PGRs produced secondary embryos, and embryos developed into normal plantlets on PGR-free MSB medium. Regenerated plantlets were transferred onto the quarter-strength MSB medium with 0.5% active charcoal to avoid recallusing. Hypocotyls were better than cotyledons for culture induction and plant regeneration. 2,4-D and kinetin were essential for culture induction and maintenance.     

Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in Styrian pumpkin: cytological and biochemical investigations

Somatic embryo formation was induced from cotyledon explants of Styrian pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L. subsp. pepo var. styriaca Greb.) by using a solid MS medium supplemented with 16.11M NAA and 4.44M BA or 26.85M NAA and 13.32M BA. The callus proliferation was more efficient on medium supplemented with 26.85M NAA and 13.32M BA. In contrast, the embryogenic response was higher on medium with lower concentrations of growth regulators (16.11M NAA and 4.44M BA). The time needed for embryo induction did not depend on medium composition. Embryos in globular stage were transferred to three different maturation media, containing 2.89M GA₃ in combination with 0.54M NAA, 11.42M IAA and growth regulator-free medium. The germination rate was the highest when embryos were cultured on medium with 11.42M IAA. Plantlets grown on this medium achieved maturity suitable for transplantation into soil within 9 to 10weeks. The regenerated plants were successfully transferred into field and developed fertile flowers and set fruits. Biochemical analysis showed significant lower total glutathione levels among in vitro grown plantlets compared to seedlings grown in soil. When the plantlets were transferred into soil, they reached a normal size within a month and the glutathione concentration was comparable to seed-derived plants at the same developmental stage. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate possible differences in the ultrastructure of cells from callus cultures, and leaf cells of regenerated and seed-derived plants. Differences in the ultrastructure were found within chloroplasts which contained only single thylakoids, large starch grains and small plastoglobuli in callus cells in comparison to leaf cells, which possessed a well developed thylakoid system, small starch grains and large plastoglobuli.     

The contribution of size-fractionated plankton to biomass and primary production of phytoplankton in saline–alkaline ponds

Primary productivity, biomass and chlorophyll-a of size fractionated phytoplankton (<0.22 m, <3 m, <8 m, <10 m, <40 m, <64 m, <112 m and <200 m) were estimated in 6 ponds and 5 experimental enclosures. The results showed that the planktonic algae less than 10 m are important in the biomass and production of phytoplankton in saline–alkaline ponds. The production of size fractionated phytoplankton corresponding to <112 m, <10 m and <3 m in saline–alkaline ponds were 10.5 ± 6.6 , 8.6 ± 5.4 and 0.33 ± 0.1 mgC l^–1 d^–1, respectively. Mean community respiration rate was 1.80 ± 0.73, 1.69 ± 0.90 and 1.38 ± 1.12 mgC l^–1 d^–1, respectively. The average production of phytoplankton corresponding to micro- (10–112 m), nano- (3–10 m) and pico- (<3 m) were 1.61, 8.30 and 0.33 mgC l^–1 d^–1, respectively. The ratio of those to the total phytoplankton production was 15%, 79% and 3%, respectively. The mean respiration rate of the different size groups was 0.11, 0.31 and 1.38 mgC l^–1 d^–1; the ratio of those to total respiration of phytoplankton was 6%, 17% and 77%, respectively. The production of size-fractionated phytoplankton corresponding to <200 m, <10 m and <3 m in enclosures was 2.19 ± 1.63, 2.08 ± 1.75 and 0.22 ± 0.08 mgC l^–1 d^-1, respectively. Mean community respiration rates were 1.25 ± 1.55, 1.17 ± 1.42 and 0.47 ± 0.32 mgC l^–1 d^–1, respectively. The average production of phytoplankton corresponding to micro- (10–200 m), nano- (3–10 m) and pico- (<3 m) plankton was 0.11, 1.86 and 0.22 mgC l^–1 d^–1, respectively. The ratio of those to the total production of phytoplankton was 5%, 85% and 10%, respectively. The mean respiration rate of different size groups were 0.08, 0.72 and 0.46 mgC l^–1 d^–1, the ratio of those to total respiration of phytoplankton was 6%, 57% and 37%, respectively. The concentrations of chlorophyll-a of the phytoplankton in the corresponding size of micro- (10–112 m), nano- (3–10 m) and pico- (<3 m) plankton in the experimental ponds were 19.3, 98.2 and 11. 9 g l^–1, respectively. The ratio of those to the total chlorophyll-a was 15%, 76% and 9%, respectively. The concentrations of chlorophyll-a of phytoplankton micro- (10–200 m), nano- (3–10 m) and pico- (<3 m) plankton in enclosures were 1.7, 34.3 and 3.0 g l^–1, respectively. The ratio of those to the total chlorophyll-a was 4%, 88% and 8%, respectively.     

Coccidia of Brazilian edentates: Eimeria cyclopei n.sp. from the silky anteater,Cyclopes didactylus (Linn.) and Eimeria choloepi n.sp. from the two-toed sloth,Choloepus didactylus (Linn.)

Summary Eimeria cyclopei n.sp. is described from the silky anteater, Cyclopes didactylus, from Pará State, north Brazil. Undifferentiated oocysts, passed in the faeces, complete sporulation in seven days at 26 to 28°C. Oocysts are ellipsoidal to sub-spherical, with a mean size of 28.1 × 23.6 m: the wall is 1.5 to 2.0 m thick, apparently with an outer thin, colourless membrane and two inner, thicker, striated and yellowish layers. There is no micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar body. The mean measurements of sporocysts are 19.0 × 9.0 m, and they are slightly asymmetrical, elongate pear-shape, with a plug-shaped Steida body projecting beyond the end of the sporocyst. Sporozoites are as long as or longer than the sporocysts: The sporocyst residuum is scattered between sporozoites in younger specimens and becomes condensed into rounded mass in older ones. The endogenous stages occur in the epithelial cells of the ileum, on the lumenal side of the host-cell nucleus. Uninucleate meront, microgamont and macrogamont precursors are recognizable morphologically. Mature meronts are 20.0 × 15.7 m some produce 12 to 20 merozoites which are 8.7 × 2.0 m, and others 10 to 26 merozoites which are 11.4 × 2.0 to 15.0 × 3.0 m. Mature microgamonts which are 27.5 × 24.1 m, produce from 150 to 170 microgametes of 7.1 × 1.0 m: microgametes have two flagella of unequal length. Mature macrogamonts are 28.4 × 24.5 m Eimeria choloepi n.sp. is recorded from the two-toed sloth, Choloepus didactylus, from the same area of Brazil. Undifferentiated oocysts, passed in the faeces, complete sporulation in 23 days at 26 to 28°C. Oocysts with a mean size of 23.0 × 20.3 m, have a wall 2.0 to 2.5 m thick which is composed of two thick, yellowish and striated outer layers and a delicate, colourless inner one. There is no micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar granule. Mature sporocysts with a mean size of 11.3 × 7.1 m, are ellipsoidal to egg-shaped and have a poorly developed Steida body. The sporocyst residuum is composed of a small number of large globules: The sporozoites are longer than the sporocyst and strongly recurved. The endogenous stages occur in epithelial cells of the ileum, on the lumenal side of the host-cell nucleus. Dimorphic meronts produce 8 to 18 merozoites which are either 13.0 × 2.0 m or 13.0 × 3.0 m. Microgamonts produce 50 to 80 microgametes of 8.0 × 1.0 m. Mature macrogamonts are 18.3 × 17.9 m. ac]19820212     

Trois nouveaux Nadejdolepis Spasskii & Sasskaya, 1954 (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) parasites de Charadrii (Aves) de Tasmanie

Three species of Nadejdolepis from Tasmania, Australia, are described and illustrated. N. burgessi n. sp., a parasite of Charadrius ruficapillus, is 4-6 mm long, with rostellar nitiduloid hooks 63-66 m long, a short evaginated cirrus 13-16 m long with a short collar of thin spines 1 m long, a narrow and tubular sclerotinoid vagina 40-50 long and 3-4 m in diameter with a little ampulla 3-5 m in diameter at the proximal end, and a membranous atrial segment with smooth, short (1 m) and compact spines which are sometimes difficult to observe. N. smithi n. sp., a parasite of 40-50 long and 3-4 m in diameter with a little ampulla 3-5 m in diameter at the proximal end, and a membranous atrial segment with smooth, short (1 m) and compact spines which are     

Micropropagation and ecorestoration of Vanda spathulata,an exquisite orchid

Node explants collected from flowering plants of Vanda spathulata, an endemic and exquisite orchid of Peninsular India and Sri Lanka, were cultured in Mitra medium with combinations of 4.4–88.8 m 6-benzyl adenine (BA) and 0.0–114.2 m indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Combinations of 44.4 m BA with 17.1 or 28.5 m IAA and 66.6 mM BA with 28.5 or 40.0 m IAA induced maximum formation of 12.6 and 12.1 shoots / node, respectively, in a 6-month period. Subcultured nodal explants produced maximum of 6.1 shoots at combinations of 22.2–44.4 m 21 BA and 5.7–28.5 m IAA. Rooting of shoots occurred in medium containing 75 g l^–1 banana pulp and 5.7 m IAA within 3–9 weeks. Plantlets of 2–5 cm length possessing two to five roots established easily in community pots at 80–90% rates without hardening. Community potted plants introduced into forest segments at Ponmudi and Palode in Southern Western Ghats of India established at a rate of 50–70%.     

Oocysts of Isospora ernsti n. sp. and Isospora blagburni n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the black-capped bulbul,Pycnonotus xanthopygos

Oocysts of Isospora ernsti n. sp. and Isospora blagburni n. sp. are described from the black-capped bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos from Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois. The bird came from southwestern Africa seven years earlier. I. ernsti oocysts are ellipsoidal to bluntly ovoid, 28–38 × 23–31m (mean 34 × 28 m) and have a single-layered oocyst wall. Micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granules are absent. Sporocysts are elongate ovoid, 24–30 × 11–16 m (mean 27×13 m). Stieda and substiedal bodies and sporocyst residuum are present. I. blagburni oocysts are spherical to subspherical. 21–28 × 19–26 m (mean 25 × 23 m) and have a single oocyst wall. Sporocysts are ovoid and 17–23 × 10–13 m (mean 20 × 12 m). Stieda and substiedal bodies and sporocyst residuum are present.     

Problems in estimating growth rates of marine phytoplankton from short-term14C assays

Growth rate estimates () of phytoplankton populations that were sampled from nitrogen-limited continuous cultures and then incubated for short durations in batch culture with added¹⁴C-HCO₃ ^– were significantly different than steady-state growth rates () for 3 of 5 marine phytoplankton species. Two diatoms,Thalassiosira weissflogii andChaetoceros simplex, displayed virtually identical growth rates (=) over a wide range of, whereas for a third diatom,Phaeodactylum tricornutum, was overestimated by an average of 40% compared to. In contrast, was underestimated by the¹⁴C technique for the two remaining species: up to 40% at a steady-state of 1.0 day^–1 for the chlorophyteDunaliella tertiolecta and up to 100% at of 1.4 day^–1 for the haptophytePavlova lutheri. For the latter two species the divergence between and appeared to increase with increasing steady-state. A simple model of labeled and total carbon flow between the aqueous phase and cellular biomass was constructed to demonstrate that respiration was negligible when=, but was significant when>. In the cases in which<, a rapid physiological alteration presumably took place once the steady state was disturbed and cells were placed in the incubation chambers, which perhaps was related to the nutritional state of the cultures at the time of sampling. Questions thus are raised regarding our ability to measure accurately primary productivity from shipboard experiments with confined samples of phytoplankton from nutrient-impoverished waters that probably are less hardy than the laboratory cultures used in these studies.     

Theoretical studies of impulse propagation in serotonergic axons

Impulse propagation in small-diameter (1–3 m) axons with inhomogeneous geometry was simulated. The fibres were represented by a series of 3 m-long compartments. The cable equation was solved for each compartment by a finite-difference approximation (Cooley and Dodge 1966). First-order differential equations governing temporal changes in membrane potential or Hodgkin-Huxley (1952) conductance parameters were solved by numerical integration. It was assumed that varicosity and intervaricosity segments had the same specific cable constants and excitability properties, and differed only in length and diameter. A single long varicosity or a clump of 3 m-long varicosities changed the point-to-point (axial) conduction velocity within as well as to either side of the geometrically inhomogeneous regions. When 2 m-diameter, 3 m-long varicosities were distributed over the 1 m-diameter fiber length as observed in serotonergic axons, mean axial conduction velocity was between that of uniform-diameter 1 and 2 m fibers, and changed predictably with different cable parameters. Fibers with inexcitable varicosity membranes also supported impulse propagation. These simulations provided a general theoretical basis for the slow (< 1 M/s) conduction velocity attributed to small-diameter unmyelinated varicose axons.     

In vitro meristem cloning of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm.

Rapid multiplication of axillary meristems and direct shoot development occurred from nodal explants of mature Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. with 5.3 M NAA, 1.1 M IAA and 4.4 M BA in Murashige-Skoog medium. Repeated subcultures of the second generation shoot cultures into low cytokinin-auxin containing media (0.44–0.88 M BA+0.1 M NAA) yielded axillary microshoots in large numbers. Half-strength MS liquid medium with 4.9 M IBA, 5.5 M IAA and 5.3 M NAA for four days, half-strength semi-solid hormonefree MS medium with charcoal, and MS liquid medium without charcoal and hormones, in sequence, induced rooting of shoots in the dark. This system is suitable for the mass propagation of this difficult-to-root eucalypt.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA -indole-3-butyric acid - 2-iP isopentyl adenine - Kn kinetin - MS Murashige-Skoog - NAA -naphthalene acetic acid - PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone     

Epipregnanolone Acts as a Partial Agonist on a Common Neurosteroid Modulatory Site of the GABAA Receptor Complex in Avian CNS

Neurosteroid modulatory sites present in the GABA_A receptor complex in chick optic lobe were investigated, in order to evaluate whether allopregnanolone and alphaxalone act through a common site of action. Results showed that either allopregnanolone or alphaxalone present a single-component enhancement of [³H]flunitrazepam binding with EC₅₀ of 1.18 ± 0.12 and 6.56 ± 0.86 M and E_max of 82.18 ± 5.80 and 62.98 ± 3.73 %, respectively. Epipregnanolone behaved as a partial agonist of these steroid modulatory sites with EC₅₀ of 0.49 ± 0.15 M and E_max 12.34 ± 1.03%. Moreover, the addition of 16 M epipregnanolone to either allopregnanolone or alphaxalone decreased EC₅₀ values to 0.54 ± 0,09 and 1.24 ± 0.25 M respectively, while E_max values were not significantly affected. On the other hand, additivity experiments disclosed that a maximal concentration (16 M) of alphaxalone in the presence of allopregnanolone failed to enhance [³H]flunitrazepam binding in excess of that produced by allopregnanolone alone. Results indicate that not only allopregnanolone and alphaxalone act through a common site of action, but such site is highly stereospeciflc with regard to the neurosteroid spatial configuration.     

Contribution of methanol to the production of methane and its <Superscript>13</Superscript>C-isotopic signature in anoxic rice field soil

Conversion of methanol to CH₄ has a large isotope effect so that a small contribution of methanol-dependent CH₄ production may decrease the ¹³CH₄ of total CH₄ production. Therefore, we investigated the role of methanol for CH₄ production. Methanol was not detectable above 10 M in anoxic methanogenic rice field soil. Nevertheless, addition of ¹³C-labeled methanol (99% enriched) resulted in immediate accumulation of ¹³CH₄. Addition of 0.1 M ¹³C-methanol resulted in increase of the ¹³CH₄ from –47 to –6 within 2 h, followed by a slow decrease. Addition of 1 M ¹³C-methanol increased ¹³CH₄ to +500 within 4 h, whereas 10 M increased ¹³CH₄ to +2500 and continued to increase. These results indicate that the methanol concentrations in situ, which diluted the ¹³C-methanol added, were 0.1 M and that the turnover of methanol contributed only about 2% to total CH₄ production at 0.1 M. However, contribution increased up to 5 and 17% when 1 and 10 M methanol were added, respectively. Anoxic rice soil that was incubated at different temperatures between 10 and 37 °C exhibited maximally 2–6% methanol-dependent methanogenesis about 1–2 h after addition of 1 M ¹³C-methanol. Only at 50 °C, contribution of methanol to CH₄ production reached a maximum of 10%. After longer (7–10 h) incubation, however, contribution generally was only 2–4%. Methanol accumulated in the soil when CH₄ production was inhibited by chloroform. However, the accumulated methanol accounted for only up to 0.7 and 1.2% of total CH₄ production at 37 and 50 °C, respectively. Collectively, our results show that methanol-dependent methanogenesis was operating in anoxic rice field soil but contributed only marginally to total CH₄ production and the isotope effect observed at both low and high temperature.     

A procedure for axenic isolation of the marine microalga Isochrysis galbana from heavily contaminated mass cultures

Isochrysis galbana, one of the most widely usedmarine microalgae in the rearing of finfish and shellfish larvae, is masscultured frequently in outdoor tanks. Under prolonged and repeated culture,severe contamination occurs. Axenic isolation of I.galbanafrom such cultures was best achieved by using a ternary procedure involvingpercoll-gradient centrifugation, treatment with antibiotics, and growth on agarmedium. Protozoa and other algae were removed most effectively by isolation ofI. galbana at the 30–40% density layer on apercoll-gradient. Removal of bacteria was accomplished using a mixture of 5antibiotics (250 g mL^–1 ampicillin, 50g mL^–1 gentamycin, 100 gmL^–1 kanamycin, 500 gmL^–1 neomycin, 50 gmL^–1 streptomycin). Axenic colonies were isolated fromasolid medium prepared from 1% purified agar. The ternary procedure isconsideredapplicable to the isolation of other axenic single-celled microalgae fromheavily contaminated cultures.     

Effect of genotype,explant and medium onin vitro regeneration of red pepper

In vitro plant regeneration was achieved inCapsicum praetermissum, C. baccatum andC. annuum cvs. G4, Bhiwapuri Sweet pepper, Cayenne pepper and Hybrid pepper. Shoots were induced from hypocotyl, cotyledon and leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 5.7 M indoleacetic acid (IAA)+13.3 M benzyladenine (BA); 22 M BA; and 44 M BA. Analysis of variance revealed that the most significant effect on shoot regeneration was due to the explant and it accounted for 56.3% of total variation observed. The genotype x explant effect on regeneration was minor relative to all other 2- and 3-way interactions because leaf explants consistently regenerated more shoots than hypocotyls or cotyledons in all the genotypes and thereby reduced the variation among the genotypes. Explant x medium interaction revealed that 22 M BA was the best growth regulator supplement in regeneration medium for optimal shoot regeneration from leaf explants. Rooting of regenerated shoots was achieved on 5.7 M IAA-containing medium, and the rooting response was better from shoots induced on medium fortified with 5.7 M IAA plus 13.3 M BA. Complete plantlets with diploid chromosome number (2n=2x=24) were transferred to soil and 60–70% of these plantlets survived and grew well.     

The size and form of DNA molecules from microsporocytes of Lilium longiflorum at different stages of meiosis

DNA molecules from lysates of microsporocytes at different stages of meiosis of Lilium longiflorum were examined in the electron microscope. In all of the preparations, only linear (non-circular) molecules were found. They had a mean length of between 59 and 75 , and a range of lengths which varied from 1 to 115 , to 1 to 210 . From the data obtained, there was no indication of a change in molecular form or size of DNA molecules associated with the process of meiosis.     

Fine structure of abscission zones

Summary Electron micrographs of the zone of separation in flower pedicels of Lycopersicon esculentum and Nicotiana tabacum are presented with particular reference to the indentation of epidermal tissue in the abscission zone, subcellular organelles, and the cell wall. The indentation or groove which delineates the abscission zone extends some distance into the pedicel with branchings off the main groove. These branches are approximately 20 m in width while the main groove averages approximately 200 m in width. Invaginations of the plasmalemma are observed with considerable frequency. within these invaginations one observes a material of about the same density as the cell wall except that it is more fibrillar. Plasmodesmata are also observed, with considerable branching into middle lamellae of cells comprising the abscission zones. Microbodies with crystalloid cores appear with considerable frequency in cells of the abscission zone. The crystalloids appear to be cubical in shape and are composed of parallel sheets of osmiophilic material. The sheets average about 6 m in thickness and are spaced at 4 m intervals. The microbodies with crystalloid cores are observed to be characteristically of two size groupings. In tobacco the microbodies average 900 m and 1,500 m in profile. In tomato they average 300 m and 500 m. Chloroplasts contain a granular component which is membrane-enclosed. The component is large in comparison with the plastid in which it occurs, averaging 1.2–1.4 in diameter in chloroplasts ranging from 1.6 to 2.2 in diameter. The inner membrane of the chloroplast is highly invaginated, and DNA- and phytoferritin-like materials are observed within the plastids. Microtubules with an average diameter of 20 m are observed adjacent and parallel to the plasmalemma, primarily in the corners of the cells. Micrographs of other normally occurring cytoplasmic inclusions are also presented.