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Abstract
SUMMARY: The ‘spray’ mutant of Neurospora crassa responded differently from the wild type when grown in conidiogenic (C) and mycelial (M) media. In both media spray produced an unpigmented non-conidiating form of growth, whereas the wild type formed pure mycelial cultures on M-medium and conidiating growth on C medium. Analysis of the fine structure of spray revealed that the modal width of mitochondria of C- and M-media grown cultures was virtually identical. Since it is known that C-cultures of wild-type N. crassa possess swollen mitochondria, a relationship was suggested between mitochondrial swelling and the metabolic mechanisms which govern conidial differentiation. Spray also varied from the wild type in cell-wall thickness. Intraconidial conidia were observed in the spray mutant. These internal conidia always contained normal cytoplasm, while that of the host cell consisted of degenerate components. Intra-conidial conidia might arise as a result of proliferation of the septal wall.
- Accepted:
- Published Online: