Prometaphase and anaphase chromosome movements in living pollen mother cells

Abstract

Chromosome movements during meiosis in three plant species are described. Mean prometaphase and anaphase chromosome velocities were approximately O.5 μm · min−1. Culture conditions had little effect on these velocities, but they may have delayed the onset of prometaphase or anaphase. Spindle elongation was zero during anaphase I inAllium triquetrum and in anaphase II inIris spuria, but in both species elongation occurred during the other division of meiosis. Variations in anaphase I chromosome velocity at different positions across theAllium half-spindle were also observed.