| Abstract: | The electron microscope was used to examine changes which take place in wall, as well as in internal, structure during germination of mature resistant sporangia of Allomyces neo-moniliformis. When the resistant sporangia are first placed in water to initiate germination, nuclei, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum are not evident, though after the sporangia have been in water for more than 30 min all of these structures become visible. At this time no cracks are evident in the resistant sporangial wall and the cell membrane appears highly convoluted. Within the next 30 min the outer wall splits and the inner wall expands considerably as the protoplast increases in volume. At the same time the cell membrane straightens out, apparently in response to the protoplasmic expansion. The “cementing substances” begin to dissolve about this time so that 1 1/2 hr after placement in water the outer wall is completely separated from the inner wall which now acts as the cell wall. Cleavage appears to be initiated by the invagination of the cell membrane and by the appearance of segments of endoplasmic reticulum with filled vesicles at one end. Between 2 1/2 and 3 hr after placement in water zoospores are released. |
