Chromosome behavior at premeiotic mitosis in maize

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Abstract
Premeiotic mitosis in maize was studied with two preparation techniques not previously applied: 1) conventional squash preparation following fixation by a new, superior fixation procedure; and 2) serial section preparation with analysis including Nomarski Interference-contrast optical section reconstruction. New findings include nuclear flattening in advance of metaphase that may play a role in establishment of metaphase configurations, and occasional intimate pairing of homologues as well as apparent rough homologue alignment at a distance, at prophase. Homologue pairing seems maximal at prometaphase to metaphase, diminished somewhat during anaphase, but increased again at the end of anaphase. Telomeres appear associated with the nuclear boundary at prophase, but are not visibly associated with each other. Several forms of chromosome behavior in the nuclear interior suggest the mediation of specialized intranuclear structure.

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