Biochemical, Histochemical, and Structural Changes during Conjugation Process of Spirogyras

Abstract

The histochemical and structural changes during the conjugation process of Spirogyra were observed in relation to carbohydrate metabolism.
The degree of staining with 2, 3, 4-triphenyltetrazolium chloride or with osmic acid was higher in the vegetative cells than in the conjugating cells. In the conjugating cells, conjugation tube was most strongly stained.
The outer slime layer disappeared and the cell wall swelled during the conjugationprocess.
The amount of hot-water soluble but acetone or ethyl alcohol insoluble carbohydrate fraction decreased during the process.