The role of interstitial cells in the maintenance of hydra II. Budding

Abstract

Abstract Animals whose interstitial cells have been selectively destroyed by nitrogen mustard continue to form new buds for nine days after mustard treatment. Buds present on parent animals at the time of mustard teatment continued to develop at the same rate as control animals; however, in most cases they failed to detach as quickly as control forms. Extensive histological examination revealed a lack of mitoses in gastrodermal digestive cells after nitrogen mustard treatment. Divisions continued in epidermal epithelio‐muscular cells for as long as 20 days. It is suggested that cell divisions in the epidermis are necessary for the initiation of the budding process and that under the present conditions the gastrodermal cells are pulled along passively into the bud outgrowth.