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THE RELEASE MECHANISM AND LOCOMOTOR BEHAVIOR OF EQUISETUM SPERM
Author(s) -
Bilderback Diane E.,
Bilderback D. E.,
Jahn T. L.,
Fonseca J. R.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1973.tb07591.x
Subject(s) - sperm , spermatid , biology , biophysics , divalent , clinostat , flagellum , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , calcium , chelation , anatomy , biochemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry , gene
When antheridia of gametophytes of Equisetum hyemale L. are placed in water, only spermatid cells are released. These spermatid cells have from 6–12 fibrils radiating from 2–4 loci on the cell wall. One sperm is released from each spermatid cell. With high speed cinemicrography, it can be shown that sperm flagella beat three dimensionally with a continuous, traveling helical wave. A flagellar beat cycle is completed every 0.03 sec. In water the sperm swim rapidly at a rate of 300 μ per sec and traverse a helical path of long wavelength and shallow amplitude. Calcium is essential for normal locomotor behavior. When calcium is chelated by ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), the sperm spin in place. All other monovalent and divalent ionic solutions tested cause the sperm to swim abnormally. Monovalent ionic solutions prevent the drastic change in sperm mobility patterns resulting from chelation by EDTA.