[Circadian rhythms in monocellular organisms (author's transl)].

Monocellular organisms are well suited for studies on the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms. Thythms in different monocellular organisms are similar. This mean that it might be anticipated that the mechanisms of all these rhythms are similar. Evidence so far available has resulted in several models, some of which emphasize the role of membranes and deserve special interest. A "coupled translation membrane model" is in full agreement with those particular results which have been obtained on the green alga, Acetabularia. Attempts to verify the role of essential polypeptides which was postulated in the model, by isolating such components appear to be successful.