Summary
The DNA content of individual Xenopus laevis Mauthner cell nuclei was measured by a spectrophotometric method. The Mauthner cell was found to contain a diploid amount of DNA as do VIIth nerve motor neurons and glial cells. The relationship of nuclear volume to ploidy is discussed with particular reference to neurons. It is concluded that no close correlation exists between these two factors when morphologically distinct types of neurons are compared. It is suggested that polyploidy of certain vertebrate neurons may be implicated more strongly in the metabolic activities involved in their function than in those concerned with their rapid initial growth.
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Supported by U.S.Public Health Service Training Grants GM406-09 and NB 05591-02.
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Billings, S.M., Swartz, F.J. DNA content of Mauthner cell nuclei in Xenopus laevis: A spectrophotometric study. Z. Anat. Entwickl. Gesch. 129, 14–23 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00521952
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00521952