Myelin Forms in Acetocarmine Smear Preparation. Lecithin as a Nuclear Constituent

Abstract

1. In acetocarmine smears of PMCs and tapetum cells of Papaver, Hosta, Tradescantia, and Magnolia, lipoid drops came out from the tapetal and PMC nuclei and chromosomes. The drops stained with acetocarmine showed afterwards various myelin forms in water or in acid medium, sometimes in the nuclear and cell cavity.2. The stained drops were identified as drops of lecithin. Its slow separation from the resting nucleus and chromosomes may be due to the fact that the lecithin does not exist in a free condition, but in a state of combination.3. The observations of acetocarmine smear materials as well as the case of Tradescantia PMCs fixed with the osmium containing mixture show that the lecithin drops are derived from chromosomes and nucleoli, and not from karyolymph.