Abstract
It has been shown in a number of papers that the young gametophytes of ferns, e. g. Dryopteris filix-mas, will grow differently under red and under blue light. In red light these sporelings grow as filaments whereas under blue light they form two-dimensional normal prothallia. - The development of the sporelings can be inhibited by the application of methyl-tryptophane. The process of cell division is blocked by this treatment. The blue grown sporelings are much more sensitive than the red grown one. Under the influence of the antimetabolite methyl-tryptophane the nuclei will swell in both types of sporelings to about the same extent. The application of tryptophane reverses the effects of the antimetabolite on nuclear swelling, cell division and development in general. In the case of the blue grown sporelings much higher concentrations of tryptophane were needed to reverse the inhibition mediated by methyl-tryptophane. It is assumed that the application of methyl-tryptophane leads to a disintegration of protein and cell metabolism. The transport of substances from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is blocked under these conditions. The result is an accumulation of material in the nucleus which leads to swelling and finally to an inactivation of the nucleus as far as cell division and cell differentiation are concerned. The application of tryptophane gradually leads to a reconstitution of the normal cell metabolism. The swelling of the nucleus is reversed. Apparently the flow of material from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is taken up again which results in normal cell differentiation and mitotic activity.

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