HISTOCHEMICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE TRAUMATAXIS OF EPIDERMAL NUCLEUS OF THE LEAF OF ZEBRINA

1. By means of cytological and histochemical methods, the dynasties of nuclei, leucoplasts, mitochondria, nucleic acid, alkaline phosphatase and alkaline adenosine-triphosphatase in the process of traumataxis of the epidermal nuclei of the leaf of Zebrina pendula have been investigated.2. The average diameter of the epidermal nuclei of the leaf of Z. pendula after traumataxis increased about 7.7% in comparison with that of normal nuclei. The slide of Feulgen reaction shows that traumatized nucleus stains deeper than the normal one does. This indicates an increase in DNA content.Meanwhile,the nucleolus of the traumatized nucleus stains deeper in pyroninstain than the normal one does.This indicates an increase in RNA content.3. After the occurrence of the traumataxis of the nuclei, the leucoplasts and mitochondria translocated along with the traumatized nucleus also.4. The alkaline phosphatase was mainly localized in the leucoplasts, and the alkaline adenosine-triphosphatase in the mitochondria.After traumataxis,these two kinds of enzymes translocated along with the leucoplasts and mitochondria. The activities of the enzymes increased at the same time.5. All the changes described above strenthened the supplement of matter and energy, which would be advantageous to the recovery of the wound.