FINE STRUCTURE OF CHROMOSOMES

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Abstract
Electron micrographs of staminate hair cells of Tradescantia reflexa indicate that early prophase chromosomes are composed of a number of helically arranged chromonemata. Favorable preparations reveal as many as 64 identifiable subsidiary strands, assumedly arranged as intertwined pairs to form a hierarchy of pairs of pairs. The helices of the smallest discernible units have a diameter of about 125 A, with highly electron-scattering material disposed peripherally around a less dense "core." The wall of this peripheral ring has a thickness of about 40 A, and apparently represents another pair of coiled threads surrounding a 40 A central axis. The implications of the findings are discussed briefly.

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