Die Anwendung des Phasenkontrast-Verfahrens zum Studium der Pflanzenzelle

Abstract

Classic cytology makes its observations on stained prepns., for which the contrast depends on different light absorption and changes in amplitude of light waves passing through. Living cells, however, are mainly uncolored and thus unsuitable for this procedure. The phase contrast procedure utilizes the fact that different substances of living protoplasm have different indices of refraction and with the so-called "phase optics" these phase differences are transformed into an amplitude difference. By this new method, investigation was made of cell membranes, cytoplasm, matrix and basic inclusions (Grundeinschlusse), microsomes, chondriosomes, cell nuclei with nucleoles and chromomeres, plasma flow and plasmolysis in the upper epidermis of onion scales, and chloroplasts from the foliage leaves (treated with KCNS), all of these in Allium cepa. Phase contrast methods also gave information on the delicate lamellar structure of the chloroplasts of A triplex hastata. In nuclear division in anther filaments of Tradescantia virginica no small spindle fibers could be observed by phase contrast procedures. For comparison, myelin and nucleic acid were investigated by the new procedures.