Phytochrome in etiolated annual rye

Summary During a seven-fold increase in length the content of the coleoptile in photoreversible phytochrome increased four-fold and that of the primary leaf nine-fold. The phytochrome content, during growth, expressed on a fresh- or dry-weight basis did not vary greatly for either organ. Phytochrome per mg dry weight (OD⁷³⁰/mg=0.5) was nearly the same in the leaf as in the coleoptile. Coleoptiles studied had a constant DNA content of 4.1 g per organ. DNA content of the leaf increased with age. Phytochrome per DNA was much higher in the coleoptile than in the primary leaf and increased with growth in each of these organs. Thus, there was not a constant amount of phytochrome per cell in either tissue with increasing age and there was not the same amount of phytochrome per cell in the coleoptile as in the primary leaf at any age.This work was supported in part by U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Contract No. AT (30-I)2373.     

Micromorphology of Cryptococcus neoformans

Fine details of the internal and external morphology of Cryptococcus neoformans as seen in ultrathin sections are described and illustrated with electron micrographs. The capsule characteristic of this species contained microfibrils (30 to 40 A in diameter) that appeared to radiate from the cell wall and to coil and intertwine in various directions. These thin, uniformly structured, electron-dense filaments are believed to represent complex polysaccharide molecules. The internal morphology of C. neoformans was in many ways similar to that of yeasts studied by other authors. The cell was uninucleate with a single nucleolus. The nuclear envelope, a pair of unit membranes interrupted by pores, was typical of that found in eucaryotic organisms. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, vacuoles, storage granules, and ribosomes were consistent features of the cytoplasm. In addition, C. neoformans presented membranous organelles derived from the plasma membrane and comparable to bacterial mesosomes and mitochondria of an annulate type.     

Spectrophotometric Measurements of Phytochrome in vivo and Their Correlation with Photomorphogenic Responses of Phaseolus

Direct in vivo measurements of phytochrome have been made in Phaseolus vulgaris by 2-filter difference spectrophotometry (Ratiospect). All measurements were made at 730 versus 800 nm and it is assumed that the Δ (ΔOD) is directly proportional to the PFR concentration of phytochrome present. Dose response curves were determined for both physiological and spectrophotometric responses for red induction and far-red photoinactivation. For induction, saturation occurs at 100 mj/cm² and for inactivation at 30 mj/cm². The rate of hook opening and the physiological response measured 20 hours after induction are both shown to be directly proportional to the initial amount of PFR present spectrophotometrically. The sensitivity of the tissue correlates well with the absolute amount of phytochrome present, the inner portion of the hook having the maximum concentration of 0.042 Δ (ΔOD)/g fresh weight. If the total reversible phytochrome concentration is reduced by exposure to red light and allowing PFR to decay out of the system the remaining sensitivity of the tissue is shown to be directly correlated with the amount of PR remaining in the tissue. PFR disappears rapidly in the dark at 25°, and is not detectable after 6 hours. There is no indication that PFR reverts in the system to PR. At 4°, PFR does not disappear measurably up to 1 hour and is nearly totally reversible to PR.     

The ecology of symphyla. Part II. Seasonal soil migrations

The seasonal changes in vertical distribution of Scutigerella immaculata Newport in the soil were studied. In bare soil outdoors there were high surface numbers in spring, low in summer, with a second increase in autumn. The distribution pattern was similar in bare greenhouse soil, except that spring migrations to the surface soil occurred earlier, the summer exodus was more marked, and the autumn increase much reduced. Growing plants attracted Scutigerella immaculata to the surface even under adverse soil conditions but had no influence on Symphylella vulgaris Silvestri. The results are discussed in relation to other work.

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Zusammenfassung Symphyliden dringen sehr tief in den Boden ein. Es wurden die jahreszeitlichen Vertikalwanderungen von zwei Arten durch Entnahme einer Anzahl von Tiefenproben in monatlichen Abständen untersucht. Dies waren Scutigerella immaculata, die phytophag ist, und Symphylella vulgaris, die saprophag lebt. Die Fortpflanzung findet das ganze Jahr über statt, doch traten Maximalpopulationen im Gewächshausboden im Frühjahr und im Freiland im Frühsommer auf. Im Freiland wanderten auf offenen Böden große Zahlen beider Arten im Frühling und Frühsommer an die Bodenoberfläche, kehrten im Hochsommer in geringere Tiefen zurück, und im Herbst entstand ein zweiter kleinerer Gipfel der Oberflächenzahlen.Ein ähnlicher jahreszeitlicher Verlauf zeigte sich in nacktem Gewächshausboden, außer daß die Frühjahrswanderung zur Bodenoberfläche zeitiger stattfand, der Sommerrückzug stärker betont war und im Herbst nur relativ wenige zur Bodenoberfläche zurückkehrten. Proben unter Pflanzen in Gewächshaus- und Feldböden zeigten größere Zahlen von Scutigerella immaculata zu den Zeiten, in denen die Pflanzen die größte Anzahl junger Wurzeln entwickelten. Das trat bei Sympbylella vulgaris nich auf. Es wird geschlossen, daß eine warme, feuchte Bodenoberfläche für hohe Oberflächenzahlen beider Arten am meisten geeignet ist, doch kommt Scutigerella immaculata sogar bei ungünstigen Bedingungen an die Oberfläche, wenn Nahrung vorhanden ist.

     

The Fine Structure of a Multiterminal Innervation of an Insect Muscle

The detailed structure of nerve branches, neuromuscular junctions, and muscle fibers of a multiterminal innervation of cockroach abdominal muscle has been studied with the electron microscope. The muscle fiber is of the banded myofibril type; with paired mitochondria and abundant endoplasmic reticulum. The peripheral nerve branches are multiaxonal with large central axon and several small peripheral tunicated axons. Tracheoblasts closely accompany the nerve branches. The multiple neuromuscular junctions show typical axonal vesicles, muscle aposynaptic granules, and close plasma membrane apposition with no interposition of basement membrane material.