Electron microscope study of vegetative cell division in two species of Marchanda

Cell division in Marehantia polymorpha and M. berteroana was examined with the electron microscope. Distinct preprophase bands of microtubules, typical of higher plants, were not observed. Most of the spindle microtubules in early prophase appeared to insert into polar MTOC's. The behaviour of the nuclear envelope, nucleolus, and chromosomes was typical of higher plant divisions. Cytokinesis was accomplished by centrifugal cell plate growth in a phragmoplast. Numerous coated vesicles were associated with the developing cell plate.