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Changes in density of chromatin in the meristematic cells ofSinapis alba during transition to flowering

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Summary

Changes in the density of nuclear chromatin in the shoot apical meristem ofSinapis alba L. during floral transition (floral evocation) are described using Feulgen-stained 2 μm thick semi-thin sections and scanning cytophotometric techniques. In both G1 and G2 nuclei the chromatin becomes less heterogeneous and less dense in evoked meristems compared to vegetative meristems. When chromatin is resolved into two fractions the “dispersed” fraction increases relative to the “condensed” fraction at evocation. This decondensation process occurs earlier in G1 than in G 2 nuclei. These chromatin changes are presumably closely related to the dramatic stimulation of biosynthetic activity and cell division during floral transition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Physiologie végétale, Département de Botanique, Université de Liège, Sart Tilman, Bât. B 22, B-4000, Liège, Belgium

    A. Havelange

  2. Faculté des Sciences de Reims, Laboratoire de Biologie cellulaire, Belgeum

    J. C. Jeanny

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  1. A. Havelange
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  2. J. C. Jeanny
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Havelange, A., Jeanny, J.C. Changes in density of chromatin in the meristematic cells ofSinapis alba during transition to flowering. Protoplasma 122, 222–232 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01281699

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01281699

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