Histones and Nucleic Acids during Seed Development and Germination in Linum usitatissimum

Abstract

In Linum usitatissimum, the endothelium stains well for nucleic acids and histones. In endosperm, the staining intensity for histones, DNA and RNA increases during embryogeny. The basal and terminal cells of the two-celled proembryo are equally stained for DNA, nucleolar RNA and histones. The terminal cell is stained deeply with Pyronin Y. The embryonal cells stain intensely for these macromolecules than the suspensor cells. In a dry seed the staining intensity of histones and nucleic acids is low but after germination it increases in the shoot apex and leaf primordia.