32. Brown, Jr. R. M. and W. W. Franke. 1971.
A microtubular crystal associated with the Golgi field of Pleurochrysis
scherffelii. Planta 96:354-363.
32. Summary
In young vegetative cells of the Chrysophycean
alga Pleurochrysis scherffelii, a characteristic
array of microtubules is associated with the Golgi apparatus.
This novel structure is described from frozen-etched preparations.
The microtubular crystals flank the Golgi stack at either side
at an oblique angle and lie in between the Golgi and the periplastidal
ER and a parietal vacuole. The microtubules have an outer diameter
of 195-230 A and are spaced in a hexagonal pattern with center-to-center
distances of 300-330 A. The crystals lie free in the cytoplasm
and are not surrounded by a membrane although they frequently
associate with membraneous elements of the parietal vacuole or
periplastidal ER. The micro-tubules are interconnected by bridge-like
links. Possible functions of these crystals, especially in relation
to secretion and protoplast rotation, are discussed.