Partial Synchronization of Nuclear Divisions in Root Meristems with 5-Aminouracil.

Root tip cells of Vicia faba were partially synchronized in nuclear stages by treatment for 24 hours with 700 parts of 5-aminouracil per million. All division was suppressed by the analog treatment, and a peak in division stages ( up to 62.5 percent) was reached 14 hours after removal from the aminouracil. Populations of partially synchronized cells can be useful in experiments designed to study various intracellular reactions or responses at different stages in the nuclear cycle.