The Hydration and Dehydration Phenomena in Mitosis

IV. The chromonemata as natural existence

Abstract

1. It is contended that the chromonema must be a natural structure.
2. The results of observations presented in the present paper are as follows:-
a) The chromonemata are visible in living chromosomes in prophase, in the spiral stage in the natural state and in the mid-prophase in a hydrated state.
b) In the very beginning of mitosis the nucleus is hydrated probably preceded by a dehydration of the nuclear elements. As a result of these dehydration and hydration the interchromosomal spaces first become visible.
c) Then the twisted configuration or “dotted structure” of the nuclear threads in the preparatory stage of mitosis is transformed into the spiral configuration, thus the spiral stage being reached. The transformation begins with the swelling of “dots” indicating that in this outward aspect the spiral turns of the tightly twisted form are loosened gradually by hydration to reassume the regular spiral form.