Studies in the Mitochondria of <i>Allomyces</i> Butler

Abstract

Mitochondria of the two species of Allomyces, viz., A. javanicus, and A. moniliformis were investigated. Various forms of mitochondria were present in varying proportions. In isotonic solutions of NaCl, the mitochondria disintegrated into granules, but in hypertonic saline solution cells were plasmolysed at first but recovered later on. Mitochondria in such cells changed their shape, fragmented, became vesiculated and disappeared. In 0.5M sucrose solution, they quickly fragmented into small spheres, averaging 1 micron in diameter. Temperature of 10°±1° to 45°C had seemingly no effect on mitochondria. At higher temperatures, viz., 50°C, the mitochondrial movement ceased and at 75°C they broke up into beads and disappeared.Mitochondrial orientation was determined by the direction of cytoplasmic streaming. Small granules as normal mitochondria were stained red after 48 to 72 hours with tetrazolium chloride of 0.005 per cent concentration. Higher concentrations were lethal. Mitochondria were stained supravitally with Janus green B Hoechst as sky blue colour and reduction of the dye was observed after sometime. Amongst all the fixatives tested, Regaud's formol-bichromate was found to be the most successful.