Summary
TheThesium humifusum haustoria onMedicago marina roots, fixed in October–November, frequently contain in the cytoplasm of their cells inclusions consisting of sticks 0,3 μm in thickness and 8 to 10 μm in lenght, alone or associated in stacks of 3 or 6 units. These sticks consist of “fibres”, 10 nm in thickness, oriented in the same direction and separated from the others by a gap of 8 nm; these “fibres” seem to be composed of helically wound filaments and a less electron-dense matrix.
The chemical composition of these inclusions was studied by enzymatic digestion in ultra thin sections; pronase digested the cytoplasmic paracrystals. This demonstrates that they are composed primarily of protein.
The physiological significance of the inclusions is discussed: presumably the haustorium functions as a storage organe.
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Renaudin, S., Cheguillaume, N. On the localization, the fine structure, and the chemical composition of crystalline inclusions in theThesium humifusum haustoria. Protoplasma 93, 223–229 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01275655
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01275655