Control of regeneration and morphogenesis by divalent cations in Acetabularia mediterranea.

A study of the effects of altered calcium and magnesium levels on the capacities of Acetabularia plants to elongate and to form whorls or caps revealed sharp transitions of regenerative state over small concentration changes of external calcium at both reduced and elevated levels. Cobalt and lanthanum, which interfere with calcium fluxes across membranes, also affect regeneration and morphogenesis with sharply defined transition ranges. It is shown that these effects are localized at the growing tip. The nature of the mechanisms involved in the transitions from one morphogenetic state to another in the regenerative process is considered.