Cell Wall Formation in Spores of the Fungus Allomyces

Abstract

IN attempts to elucidate the details of plant cell wall formation, it is obvious that certain types of cells may be more useful than others. The investigation of cells which begin their existence devoid of a wall but which acquire one later may possibly show structural features uncomplicated by the cumulative effects of growth and differentiation. It has been shown by Nicolai¹, who investigated cell wall formation in the green alga, Chaetomorpha, that spores of lower plants can fulfil the special requirements for investigations of this kind. She observed that the motile reproductive cells of this alga were able to form a well-defined cell wall within 24 hr. after cessation of motility. Furthermore, changes in the form and crystallinity of the cell wall constituents were detected by electron microscopy and X-ray analyses.