Abstract
DURING the course of an investigation of the fine structure of the development of laterals of limited growth of Chara, unusual structures were observed at the surface of some of the cells (Fig. 1). They consisted of an invagination of the plasmalemma, approximately ovoid in shape, containing a knot of anastomosing tubules. Each tubule, when cut transversely, showed a circular outline, 200–500 Å in diameter, bounded by a single unit membrane the same thickness as the plasmalemma. The organelles were present in the cylindrical cells of well-developed laterals, being confined to the cytoplasm adjacent to the outer walls, where they lay next to the layer of chloroplasts found in this region. Mitochondria also occurred in this position but, while superficially resembling the organelles, they could be distinguished because of their double outer membrane. The organelles were not observed in meristematic cells of young lateral branches.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Frei, E., and Preston, R. D., Proc. Roy. Soc. B, 154, 70 (1961).
Preston, R. D., in The Formation of Wood in Forest Trees, edit. by Zimmermann, M. H., 169 (Academic Press, London, 1964).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BARTON, R. An Unusual Organelle in the Peripheral Cytoplasm of Chara Cells. Nature 205, 201 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/205201a0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/205201a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.