Diminution of microtubular organelles after experimental reduction in cell size in the ciliate, Dileptus.

Organelles of two kinds were studied: nemadesmata and transverse fibres, which are kinetosomal rootlets in oral parts of Dileptus. A diminution of microtubule number and length was found in organelles of size-reduced and regenerating cells, as compared to normal ones. It appeared, however, that organelles reduced in size were always larger and longer than could be expected on a basis of perfectly proportional regulation. The results give some insight into the modes of formation and regulation of the size of these organelles.