Zur Kenntnis vonChlamydomonas suboogama

Zusammenfassung Die Variatonsbreite der Merkmale von vegetativen Zellen und von Gametangien ist beiChl. suboogama größer als es nach früheren Untersuchungen schien.Vegetative Zellen können ellipsoidische, eiförmige oder zylindrische Gestalt haben.—Die Oberfläche des Chromatophors herangewachsener vegetativer Zellen ist durch kurze, längs verlaufende Rippen gegliedert.Außer in Gruppen von drei Makrogametangien und einem Spermatogon (was die Regel bildet) bzw. einem Makrogametangien und einem Spermatogon, können die Gametangien auch isoliert vorkommen; sie sind dann relativ groß und entstehen höchstwahrscheinlich durch direkte Umwandlung aus einer Gametangienmutterzelle. In den großen Spermatogonen entsthen 16 oder 32 Spermein (sonst 4 oder 8).Die frisch entleerten Spermein besitzen eine Wand. Diese wird—früher oder später—vor der Befruchtung abgestreift.An den Makrogameten, jungen Zygoten sowie an den mitunger stellenweise abgehobenen Protoplasten vegetativer Zellen ist ein hyaliner Saum ausgebildet, dessen Natur sich nicht klären ließ.Der Entwicklungsgang der Gametangien und Gameten ist tagezeitlich gebunden. Unter den Beleuchtungs-und Temperaturverhältnissen, wie sie in der ersten Hälfte Mai herrschen, zerlegen sich die Gametangienmutterzellen in den Nachmittags-und Nachtstungen in vier Tochterzellen; diese reifen am folgenden Vormittag zu drei Makrogametangien und einem spermatogon heran und entlassen die Hauptmasse der Gameten in den Mittagsstunden.Mit 5 Textabbildungen     

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Dimensional analysis in mathematical biology I. General discussion

Dimensional analysis is discussed from the viewpoint of its basic group properties and shown to be an algebraic Abelian group that is useful for analysis of physical measurements. The application of the method to various types of equations and the formulation of previously unclassified dimensions are discussed. Functional dimensional analysis is applied to the problems of cell size and biomass proliferation; future applications are also noted. A number of dimensionless terms have been formulated for cellular physiochemical phenomena. They apparently represent the first systematic study of biological dimensionless numbers recorded in the literature. A dimensionless proliferation law is suggested. A brief analysis of the physical dimensionality associated with information measures is carried out. Entropy and “information” are shown to be completely different in their dimensional meaning; other informational measures of possible interest in biology are proposed. The dimensional coding and computor analysis of biomathematical equations is suggested.     

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A NOTE ON THE SOURCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE STRAINS OF HETEROFERMENTATIVE LACTOBACILLI SUBMITTED TO CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

SUMMARY: The examination of 91 strains of heterofermentative lactobacilli and the subdivision of the groups by the chromatographic patterns is described. The overall assessment of differences suggests that division is arbitrary; however, selection of certain characters has produced a division which is in agreement with the previous biochemical grouping.     

SPORE GERMINATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUNG GAMETOPHYTE OF THE OSTRICH FERN (MATTEUCCIA STRUTHIOPTERIS)

Light is required for the germination of spores of Matteuccia struthiopteris. Histochemical studies show that dormant spores contain no starch, but have an abundance of storage protein granules. Starch accumulates in the numerous chloroplasts of the spore on exposure to light and becomes gradually more extensive. Protein granules disappear as germination progresses. Following this, the centrally located nucleus migrates toward the proximal spore face. Concomitant with the nuclear migration, an increase of cytoplasmic RNA surrounding the nucleus occurs. An equal nuclear division and unequal cell division give rise to a 2-celled gametophyte consisting of a large prothallial cell and smaller rhizoidal cell. A new peripheral wall forms around the entire protoplast at the time of nuclear migration, while a transverse wall forms after nuclear division. The rhizoid emerges through the split raphe along the proximal spore face; it is rich in cytoplasmic RNA but contains very few chloroplasts and little starch. Electron microscopy of the 2-celled stage revealed a greater concentration of mitochondria, Golgi bodies, and a more extensive endoplasmic reticulum in the rhizoid than was found in the prothallial cell, which, however, was far richer in chloroplasts and lipid bodies. As the rhizoid elongates and becomes more vacuolated, cytoplasmic RNA decreases as cytoplasmic protein increases. The rhizoid undergoes no cell divisions, while the prothallial cell retains the potential for further cell division. The possible significance of the distribution of storage products, cell organelles, and other cell components were considered in relation to the non-equational cell division and differentiation of the 2 cells.     

GTP gamma S stimulation of endosome fusion suggests a role for a GTP-binding protein in the priming of vesicles before fusion.

Guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S), a non-hydrolyzable analogue of GTP, inhibits in vitro fusion among early endocytic vesicles in the presence of high concentrations of cytosol. In this report we show that fusion is remarkably stimulated by GTP gamma S under conditions where cytosolic components are the limiting factors for the process. The amount of cytosolic factors required for maximal fusion activity is several-fold decreased by the presence of GTP gamma S. Moreover, preincubation of vesicles in the presence of cytosol and GTP gamma S allows fusion to proceed even in the absence of cytosol. Our results indicate that a GTP-binding protein facilitates the binding of cytosolic factor(s) required for endosome fusion to the endosomal membrane and stabilizes a dilution-resistant intermediate of the fusion process.