Cytology of germination of spores of homosporous ferns

Abstract

SynopsisCertain aspects of the cytology of germination of spores of Anemia phyllitidis and Pteris vittata, with particular reference to the role of nucleic acid synthesis, are reviewed. As studied by autoradiography of 3H-thymidine or 3H-uridine incorporation, spore germination resulting in the formation of the rhizoid and protonemal cell is accompanied by the synthesis of DNA and RNA. Experiments using inhibitors of RNA synthesis on gibberellic acid-induced germination of spores of A. phyllitidis have indicated that dry spores contain conserved mRNA and that gibberellic acid-induced polyadenylation of mRNA occurs during the early phase of germination of spores. Recent demonstrations of the presence of polyadenylated mRNA in dry spores of A. phyllitidis suggest specific roles for both functional, conserved mRNA containing polyadenylic acid, as well as for gibberellic acid-induced polyadenylation of mRNA during the early phase of spore germination.