Abstract
This is a report on the cytological effects of water extracts of Arisaema japonicum on PMCs of Trillium kamtschaticum Pall. (2n=10, 511).
The water extracts were prepared by immersing 10, 20, and 40 grams of ground bulbs of Arisaema into 100cc of the distilled water for 12 hours at 0°C. The flower buds of Trillium, after the removal of sepals and petals, were immersed into the extract for 3 or 6 hours. After the treatment the PMCs were fixed for observation every other day.
The major results obtained are summarized as follows:
1) Immediately after the treatment, the following aberrations were observed: the clumping and clotting of chromosomes at prometaphase or at MI; the over-contraction, slight stickiness of chromosomes at MI and at AI.
2) A few days after the treatment, the chromosomal anomalies observed are: the chromosome lagging and their disturbance in migration to poles. In some TI cells, the lagging of one univalent was observed. The lagging of two homologous univalents was of rare occurrence. The precocious separation of chromatids of the lagging univalent(s), though it was considerable frequent in the streptomycin-treatment, was not observed at all.
There occurred abnormal cells at TI about 23 per cent which showed non-convergence of chromosomes at one or both polar regions. It seems probable that the abnormality, might result from the upset of the polar function caused by the extracts. The close juxtaposition of the two groups of chromosomes at TI and at interphase, unequal separation of chromosomes at AI and at TI, and the abnormality in formation of the cell wall were also recognized.
