CAVITATION AND OSMOTIC POTENTIALS OF SORDARIA ASCOSPORES

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Ascospores of Sordaria fimicola have been separated into two distinct kinds on the basis of colour, structure and physiology, which may represent different degrees of maturation.The osmotic potential of the darker spores has been found to vary considerably (22–45 atm).Cavitation occurs in ascospores and the cavitation potentials of a number of individual spores Were measured. There is considerable variation between different spores even from the same ascus (18–71 atm). Cavitation could neither be detected by vibration techniques depending on electronic amplification, nor could spore recoil be seen when detached spores cavitated under the microscope.Estimates of the permeability coefficients of mature ascospores have been made with respect to water entering the spores osmotically. The osmotic pressure generated in hyphal germ tubes of Sordaria ascospores is discussed.

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