The time course of dark adaptation in the bee: a phototactic and electrophysiological investigation

ABSTRACT. The time course of dark adaptation in Apis melifera L. was investigated by analyses of phototactic behaviour and electroretinogram (ERG). The behavioural results give a function for dark adaptation showing that in the dark after strong light adaptation the sensitivity increases exponentially with a time constant of 3 min. The sensitivity changes c. 2.4 log units during the time span of 5–720 s. The electrophysiological results indicate a smaller change in sensitivity at the level of the photoreceptors. Within a time span between 20 and 720 s the sensitivity increases during dark adaptation by a factor of 4.3 on a linear scale.     

Ethylene-promoted ascorbate peroxidase activity protects plants against hydrogen peroxide, ozone and paraquat

Abstract. In experiments where mung beans ( Vigna radiata L.) and peas ( Pisum sativum L.) have been pre-exposed to ethylene and afterwards treated with ozone, it has been shown that such ethylenepretreated plants may become more resistant to ozone. Further experiments with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and the herbicide paraquat suggest that this increased resistance against ozone depends on the stimulation of ascorbate peroxidase activity which provides cells with increased resistance against the formation of H₂O₂ which is also formed when plants are fumigated with ozone. These results explain why increased production of ethylene can be observed in plants exposed with ozone or other oxidative stress and clearly demonstrate that in plants, as well as animals, peroxidases protect cells against harmful concentrations of hydroperoxides.     

The annual cycle in body weight of small mammals from the Transvaal, South Africa, as an adaptation to a subtropical seasonal environment

Seasonal breeding of non-hibernating small mammals is generally associated with a reduction in body weight during the non-breeding period. In aseasonal breeders and in exceptional situations, when winter breeding occurs, this pattern cannot be found.
The reduction in body weight is thought to be a means to reduce energy requirements during the harsh non-breeding season that can either be winter, in the Holarctic, or the dry season in the Transvaal highveld.
The controlling mechanism in the strongly seasonal subtropical environment in southern Africa seems to be photoperiod as in small mammals from the northern hemisphere.
Since a general agreement in body weight changes was found in rodents and shrews from both areas, further similarities in adaptations to strongly seasonal environments in the subtropics are expected.
For the first time it is shown that the adaptive responses of small mammals to unfavourable seasons are similar in the Holarctic and seasonal subtropical areas.     

Electron Microscopic Studies of the Development of Kinetes in Theileria annulata Dschunkowsky & Luhs, 1904 (Sporozoa, Piroplasmea)

SYNOPSIS. Gamogony of Theileria annulata Dschunkowsky & Luhs occurs within the intestine of nymphs of the tick Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum Koch. After the 5th day post repletionem (p.r.) of the ticks spherical and ovoid parasites were found within the intestinal cells. These stages were thought to represent fertilized macrogametes. These underwent a transformation process leading ultimately to the differentiation of a motile stage, the kinete , which leaves the intestinal cells on the 14th-17th day p.r. and penetrates the alveoles of the salivary glands. The transformation of the stationary into a motile stage takes place by formation of a growing protrusion (= anlage) into an inner, enlarging vacuole. During this process the limiting membrane of the vacuole serves as the outer membrane of the developing motile stage, whereas the 2 inner membranes of its pellicle are newly formed. The steps of this differentiation in T. annulata are compared to the process of ookinete formation in haemosporina.     

Enhanced Superoxide Radical Production in Roots of Zinc-Deficient Plants

The production of superoxide radical () was studied in roots of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Deltapine15/21), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Pr?lude) and tomato(Lycopersicon esculentum L. cv. Super marmande) plants grownin nutrient solution with different Zn concentrations. UsingTiron as a spin-probe, electron spin resonance (ESR) was employedfor the measurements of levels. In the 48 000 g and 140 000 g supernatants of cotton root extracts theamplitude of the Tiron ESR signals reflecting production steeply increased with the appearance of visual Zndeficiency symptoms in the shoots. The changes in the amplitudeof the Tiron ESR signals were closely correlated with an NADPH-dependent generating oxidase activity with a high pH optimum. Increases in NADPH-dependent generation were also found in root extracts of Zn-deficientbean and tomato plants. In all experiments re-supply of Zn todeficient plants for 12 h or 24 h markedly decreased generation. Further, with advancing Zn deficiencyrates of NADPH oxidation increased and the activities of superoxidedismutase (SOD) and catalase decreased. The results suggest that cotton, bean and tomato roots possessan NADPH-dependent generating activity which is affected by the Zn nutritional status of the plants. UnderZn deficiency, enhanced generation and impaired detoxification of Of and H₂O₂ could lead to elevated levelsof and -derived oxidizing O₂ species and thus to increased peroxidation of membrane lipids. Key words: NADPH oxidase, superoxide radical, zinc deficiency