Ultrastructure of cells after reversible dark-induced blocking of mitotic divisions in antheridial filaments of Chara vulgaris L.

Abstract

As compared with the control plants cultured under photoperiodic L : D = =14 : 10 conditions (K w i a t k o w s k a, M a s z e w s k i, 1978), the ultrastructure of nuclei -in cells blocked by a 5 day exposure to continuous darkness is characterized by homogenous arrangement. This homogeneity is maintained in all generations of antheridial filaments irrespective of cell length, which in the controls, being directly correlated with particular type of nuclear structure, may serve as a precise indicator of a given stage of interphase. From similarities in both the spatial distribution and content of condensed chromatin in is concluded that the block of the cell cycle is imposed at the beginning of the G₂ phase. On comparing these cells with the early G₂ period (stage VII) in the control plants, marked changes in the structure of nucleoli were found. They decrease in size by half owing to the complete decline of granular component. The area occupied by endoplasmic reticulum undergoes a 50% reduction. The decrease in the activity of Golgi apparatus expressed by a drop in number of smooth vesicles surrounding a single dictyosome is found to parallel the limited rate of cell growth. The number of coated vesicles and cisterns of dictyosome slightly increases. Mitochondria show typical condensed configuration with dense matrices and swollen cristae, while in the control orthodox forms are prevailing. The mean size of mitochondria is smaller, but their number exceeds that of the control plants. The surface area of mitochondrial profiles is found to remain constant proportion of the cytoplasm section, e.g., about 3%. Dark-cultured antheridial filaments show absolute decline of lipid droplets. No differences were found in structure of plastids and vacuols, as well as in number of ribosomes in cytoplasm surface unit.