scholarly journals FINE STRUCTURE OF CELL DIVISION IN CHLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDI

1968 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 403-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ursula G. Johnson ◽  
Keith R. Porter

Cell division in log-phase cultures of the unicellular, biflagellate alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardi, has been studied with the electron microscope. The two basal bodies of the cell replicate prior to cytokinesis; stages in basal body formation are presented. At the time of cell division, the original basal bodies detach from the flagella, and the four basal bodies appear to be involved in the orientation of the plane of the cleavage furrow. Four sets of microtubules participate in cell division. Spindle microtubules are involved in a mitosis that is marked by the presence of an intact nuclear envelope. A band of microtubules arcs over the mitotic nucleus, indicating the future cleavage plane. A third set of microtubules appears between the daughter nuclei at telophase, and microtubules comprising the "cleavage apparatus" radiate from the basal bodies and extend along both sides of the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. Features of cell division in C. reinhardi are discussed and related to cell division in other organisms. It is proposed that microtubules participate in the formation of the cleavage furrow in C. reinhardi.

1978 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-35
Author(s):  
M.A. Gillott ◽  
R.E. Triemer

The ultrastructure of mitosis in Euglena gracilis was investigated. At preprophase the nucleus migrates anteriorly and associates with the basal bodies. Flagella and basal bodies replicate at preprophase. Cells retain motility throughout division. The reservoir and the prophase nucleus elongate perpendicular to the incipient cleavage furrow. One basal body pair surrounded by a ribosome-free zone is found at each of the nuclear poles. The spindle forms within the intact nuclear envelope- Polar fenestrae are absent. At metaphase, the endosome is elongated from pole to pole, and chromosomes are loosely arranged in the equatorial region. Distinct, trilayered kinetochores are present. Spindle elongates as chromosomes migrate to the poles forming a dumb-bell shaped nucleus by telophase. Daughter nuclei are formed by constriction of the nuclear envelope. Cytokinesis is accomplished by furrowing. Cell division in Euglena is compared with that of certain other algae.


1927 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-111
Author(s):  
J. GRAY

1. The nucleolus in the nucleus of an Echinus oocyte always orientates itself gravitationally on the floor of the nucleus. When the oocyte is disturbed the nucleolus falls through the fluid contents of the nucleus with an average velocity of 0.4 µ per sec. 2. Gravity has no direct action on the direction of the cleavage planes in Echinus eggs, but it orientates the whole egg within the fertilisation membrane. 3. During the first cleavage the mitotic axis can lie in any position in respect to gravity, but if its position deviates appreciably from the horizontal then (as soon as the cell elongates by cleavage) the whole egg moves so as to bring its centre of gravity into equilibrium with gravity and with the frictional forces acting between the egg and the fertilisation membrane. 4. During the second cleavage the mitotic axis must lie in a plane parallel to the first cleavage furrow in conformity with Hertwig's Law. If its position deviates from the horizontal, then the egg orientates itself to gravity. In this way the second division gives rise to four blastomeres resting as a flat plate on the floor of the fertilisation membrane, independently of whatever position was occupied by the mitotic axis. 5. The third cleavage is also in accord with Hertwig's Law and no gravitational disturbances occur. 6. The direction of each cleavage plane is determined by the resultant of three factors: (a) the forces underlying Hertwig's law, (b) gravity, (c) friction between the egg and its fertilisation membrane.


1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Lokhorst

For the most part, the fine structure of the cytokinetic apparatus of Ulothrix mucosa Thuret has been found to possess distinctive ulvophycean features including initiation of the cleavage furrow when the nucleus is still in interphase, replication of the lateral centrioles at prophase and their changed position near the polar fenestrae of the broad metaphase spindle pole, the semiclosed condition of the nuclear envelope throughout most mitotic stages, and the rapid completion of the cleavage furrow following restoration of the interphase condition in daughter nuclei. However, outstanding characteristics reminiscent of the typical chlorophycean pattern are also found, including the frequent presence of a microtubular system, which appears to be most distinct in the final developmental stage of the cleavage furrow, and the quick descent of the sets of centrioles along the telophase nuclei until they are close to the cleavage plane opposite each other, which is particularly reminiscent of a chlorococcalean behaviour. Comparison of the fine structure of the cytokinetic apparatuses within Ulothrix reveals variation in the pattern of deposition of cell wall material onto the intervening new septum, and in the biogenesis of the ingrowing plasmalemma. It is stated that comparative cytological analyses which show cell variability at the generic level (as in Ulothrix) continue to be useful and are needed before recommendations may be made as to the validity of the modern green algal classifications in use today.


1962 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Buck ◽  
James M. Tisdale

The development of the mid-body has been studied in mitotic erythroblasts of the rat bone marrow by means of thin sections examined with the electron microscope. A differentiated region on the continuous spindle fibers, consisting of a localized increase in density, is observed at the equatorial plane. The mid-body seems to develop by the aggregation of such denser lengths of spindle fiber. Its appearance precedes that of the cleavage furrow. A plate-like arrangement of fibrillary material lies transversely across the telophase intercellular bridge. Later, this material becomes amorphous and assumes the form of a dense ring closely applied to a ridge in the plasma membrane encircling the middle of the bridge. Although the mid-body forms in association with the spindle fibers, it is a structurally distinct part, and the changes which it undergoes are not shared by the rest of the bundle of continuous fibers.


1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry C. Fowke ◽  
Jeremy D. Pickett-Heaps

Cell division in Marehantia polymorpha and M. berteroana was examined with the electron microscope. Distinct preprophase bands of microtubules, typical of higher plants, were not observed. Most of the spindle microtubules in early prophase appeared to insert into polar MTOC's. The behaviour of the nuclear envelope, nucleolus, and chromosomes was typical of higher plant divisions. Cytokinesis was accomplished by centrifugal cell plate growth in a phragmoplast. Numerous coated vesicles were associated with the developing cell plate.


1919 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Chambers

1. The development of the amphiaster is associated with the formation of two semisolid masses within the more fluid egg substance. 2. The elongation of the egg during cleavage is possibly produced as a consequence of the mutual pressure of these two growing semisolid masses. 3. The division of the egg into two blastomeres consists essentially in a growth, within the egg, of two masses of material at the expense of the surrounding cytoplasm. When all the cytoplasm of the egg is incorporated in these two masses cleavage occurs. 4. After a certain period of time the semisolid masses revert to a more fluid state. In the eggs studied this normally occurs after the cleavage furrow has completed the separation of the two blastomeres. The formation of the furrow, however, may be prevented in various ways, upon which the egg reverts to a single spherical semifluid mass containing two nuclei. 5. An egg mutilated during its semisolid state (amphiaster stage) may or may not revert to a more fluid state. If the more solid state is maintained, the cleavage furrow persists and proceeds till cleavage is completed. If the mutilation causes the egg to revert to the more fluid state the furrow becomes obliterated and a new cleavage plane is subsequently adopted. 6. The nuclei of eggs in the semifluid state are able to alter their positions. In semifluid mutilated eggs the nuclei tend to move to positions which may assure symmetry in aster formation and cleavage.


Genetics ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 141 (3) ◽  
pp. 945-960 ◽  
Author(s):  
L L Ehler ◽  
J A Holmes ◽  
S K Dutcher

Abstract The bld2-1 mutation in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is the only known mutation that results in the loss of centrioles/basal bodies and the loss of coordination between spindle position and cleavage furrow position during cell division. Based on several different assays, bld2-1 cells lack basal bodies in > 99% of cells. The stereotypical cytoskeletal morphology and precise positioning of the cleavage furrow observed in wild-type cells is disrupted in bld2-1 cells. The positions of the mitotic spindle and of the cleavage furrow are not correlated with respect to each other or with a specific cellular landmark during cell division in bld2-1 cells. Actin has a variable distribution during mitosis in bld2-1 cells, but this aberrant distribution is not correlated with the spindle positioning defect. In both wild-type and bld2-1 cells, the position of the cleavage furrow is coincident with a specialized set of microtubules found in green algae known as the rootlet microtubules. We propose that the rootlet microtubules perform the functions of astral microtubules and that functional centrioles are necessary for the organization of the cytoskeletal superstructure critical for correct spindle and cleavage furrow placement in Chlamydomonas.


Author(s):  
K. Hama

The lateral line organs of the sea eel consist of canal and pit organs which are different in function. The former is a low frequency vibration detector whereas the latter functions as an ion receptor as well as a mechano receptor.The fine structure of the sensory epithelia of both organs were studied by means of ordinary transmission electron microscope, high voltage electron microscope and of surface scanning electron microscope.The sensory cells of the canal organ are polarized in front-caudal direction and those of the pit organ are polarized in dorso-ventral direction. The sensory epithelia of both organs have thinner surface coats compared to the surrounding ordinary epithelial cells, which have very thick fuzzy coatings on the apical surface.


Author(s):  
Roberta M. Bruck

An unusual structure in the cochlea is the spiral limbus; this periosteal tissue consists of stellate fibroblasts and collagenous fibers embedded in a translucent ground substance. The collagenous fibers are arranged in vertical columns (the auditory teeth of Haschke). Between the auditory teeth are interdental furrows in which the interdental cells are situated. These epithelial cells supposedly secrete the tectorial membrane.The fine structure of interdental cells in the rat was reported by Iurato (1962). Since the mouse appears to be different, a description of the fine structure of mouse interdental cells' is presented. Young adult C57BL/6J mice were perfused intervascularly with 1% paraformaldehyde/ 1.25% glutaraldehyde in .1M phosphate buffer (pH7.2-7.4). Intact cochlea were decalcified in .1M EDTA by the method of Baird (1967), postosmicated, dehydrated, and embedded in Araldite. Thin sections stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate were examined in a Phillips EM-200 electron microscope.


Author(s):  
C.V.L. Powell

The overall fine structure of the eye in Placopecten is similar to that of other scallops. The optic tentacle consists of an outer columnar epithelium which is modified into a pigmented iris and a cornea (Fig. 1). This capsule encloses the cellular lens, retina, reflecting argentea and the pigmented tapetum. The retina is divided into two parts (Fig. 2). The distal retina functions in the detection of movement and the proximal retina monitors environmental light intensity. The purpose of the present study is to describe the ultrastructure of the retina as a preliminary observation on eye development. This is also the first known presentation of scanning electron microscope studies of the eye of the scallop.


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