The Predetermined Polarity in Porphyra Monopores Shed from Conchocelis-thalli

Abstract

The monospores of Porphyra tenera were experimented at various developmental stages from immediately after being shed from the Conchocelis-thalli to segmented sporelings. As a result, the following was revealed.
(1) At the amoeboid stage the cytolasm is stained with Janus green B reddish purple at a part and blue at the other part. This differentiation is observed before its adhering to the substratum. The spore tends to adhere at the part stained reddish purple.
(2) The adhered spore is stained with Janus green B also reddish purple at the base and blue at the apex. After the segmentation, merely the basal cell is stained reddish purple selectively but the apical cells blue with the same dye.
(3) The reddish purple coloration of Janus green B at the base seems to be attributed to a reductive property of the basal cytoplasm, and it is predeterminedly differentiated in the amoeboid spore.
(4) The basal cytoplasm which occupies the basal cell of the sporeling is acidophilic in nature and is stained selectively with Congo red, eosin, etc., while the apical cytoplasm is rather basophilic and is stained with basic dyes.