Nature 186, 333 - 334 (23 April 1960); doi:10.1038/186333a0

Effect of Centrifugation on the Macro-nucleus of Spirostomum and Belpharisma

B. R. SESHACHAR

Department of Zoology, University of Mysore, Central College, Bangalore. Sept. 3.

IN a recent communication¹ it was reported that the macronucleus of Spirostomum (Ciliophora: Spirotricha) could be mechanically pulled to a great length and was therefore highly extensile. That a nucleus could be manipulated to the extent of being stretched to a length fifteen times the original is interesting enough, but the findings of further experimental treatment of this and another ciliate belonging to the same family, Blepharisma, are even more so. The present communication briefly describes them.

References

1.	Seshachar, B. R., Nature, 182, 1614 (1958). | ISI |
2.	Randall, J. T., Symp. Soc. Exp. Biol., 10, 185 (1957).
3.	Ris, H., in symposium on the Chemical Basis of Heredity (Johns Hopkins Press, 1957).
4.	Crick, F. H. C., in symposium on the Chemical Basis of Heredity (Johns Hopkins Press, 1957).