[Effect of local UV irradiation of the generative nucleus on the vegetative functions of the infusorian, Paramecium putrinum].

The influence of the generative nucleus on the vitality in three clones of Paramecium putrinum was studied. The selective functional inactivation of the micronucleus (MI) was achieved with a local ultraviolet microbeam. After irradiation of micronuclei these soon disappeared and the irradiated cells perished shortly afterwards. In the part of UV treated-subclones the macronucleus (MA) fragmentation was discovered. It is possible that the fragments of MA are some kind of functional replacement of the lost or damaged generative nucleus. That data obviously demonstrate the function of MI of P. putrinum during its vegetative growth.