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The ultrastructure of the heterocyst and akinete of the blue-green algae

The ultrastructure of the heterocyst and akinete of the blue-green algae 203 47 47 1 1 D. C. Wildon F. V. Mercer Plant Physiology Unit, School of Biological Sciences University of Sydney Australia Division of Food Preservation and Transport C.S.I.R.O. Ryde N.S.W. Summary The ultrastructure of the heterocyst and its development from the vegetative cell is described. The ultrastructure of the akinete is also described. The “mature” heterocyst (still attached to the filament) has an elaborate structure which is distinct from both that of the normal vegetative cell and the akinete (the normal reproductive cell). Despite the extra structural detail seen in the electron micrographs, the observations do not indicate a likely physiological role for the heterocyst. However, since the developing-mature heterocyst has an organised structure, it is probable that it has an active metabolism. In contrast, the detached heterocyst has a highly disorganised structure and, for this reason, it is likely to be metabolically inactive and incapable of germination. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Microbiology Springer Journals

The ultrastructure of the heterocyst and akinete of the blue-green algae

Wildon, D.; Mercer, F.
Archives of Microbiology , Volume 47 (1) – Mar 1, 1963
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References (9)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 1963 by Springer-Verlag
Subject
Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Biochemistry, general; Cell Biology; Ecology; Microbial Ecology; Microbiology
ISSN
0302-8933
eISSN
1432-072X
DOI
10.1007/BF00408286
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

203 47 47 1 1 D. C. Wildon F. V. Mercer Plant Physiology Unit, School of Biological Sciences University of Sydney Australia Division of Food Preservation and Transport C.S.I.R.O. Ryde N.S.W. Summary The ultrastructure of the heterocyst and its development from the vegetative cell is described. The ultrastructure of the akinete is also described. The “mature” heterocyst (still attached to the filament) has an elaborate structure which is distinct from both that of the normal vegetative cell and the akinete (the normal reproductive cell). Despite the extra structural detail seen in the electron micrographs, the observations do not indicate a likely physiological role for the heterocyst. However, since the developing-mature heterocyst has an organised structure, it is probable that it has an active metabolism. In contrast, the detached heterocyst has a highly disorganised structure and, for this reason, it is likely to be metabolically inactive and incapable of germination.

Journal

Archives of Microbiology – Springer Journals

Published: Mar 1, 1963

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