MITOTIC WAVES IN THE GREEN ALGA BLASTOPHYSA RHIZOPUS AS RELATED TO COENOCYTE FORM(1).

The pattern of mitotic activity is related to form in the small coenocytic green alga Blastophysa rhizopus Reinke. Mitoses occur as a wave pattern within single nonspheroidal coenocytes, whereas within single spheroidal cocnocytes, nuclear divisions are completely synchronous. The waves are um- or bidirectional, depending on the region of mitotic wave initiation. factors which may be influenced by the external microenvironment of different coenocytic forms arc suggested as possible mitotic initiators.