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Chromosome structure in the Dinophyceae

I. The spiral chromonema

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Summary

A number of methods are described by the use of which observations were made on the standard coil in the interphase chromosomes of Prorocentrum micans. This is the first algal flagellate in which chromosome spirals have been investigated. The chromosomes were found to have predominantly right-handed helices with an average of just over seven gyres per chromosome after the standard treatment. On the basis of electron microscopical observations it is suggested that the purpose of the spiral is to hold together the many micro-fibrils which make up the chromonema. The spiral is not an artifact.

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Dodge, J.D. Chromosome structure in the Dinophyceae. Archiv. Mikrobiol. 45, 46–57 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410296

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410296

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