Some observations on the fine structure of the gametes and zygotes of Acetabularia

Abstract

Gametes and zygotes of Acetabularia have been studied with the electron microscope. The two flagella of the gamete enter the cell obliquely and the roots run near the surface of the organism. No connexion between the eyespot and the flagella was found nor was there regular relationship between the two eyespots of the zygote. When zygotes were fixed some hours after fusion of the gametes the eyespots appeared to be within the same chloroplast. Some zygotes had two nuclei or dumb-bell shaped nuclei suggesting stages of fusion. The initial contact between nuclei appeared to be through a narrow gap formed by fusion of the two nuclear membranes.