[Metabolism and destruction of the blue-green alga Anabaena variablis in the dark].

Anabaena variabilis remains viable in the dark, which is accompanied with intensive utilization of the reserve polysaccharide by the cells. The content of protein and RNA increases in the cells and incomplete cellular division occurs at the beginning of the culture incubation in the dark. Destruction of the intracellular protein and RNA begins before all the reserve polysaccharide has been utilized. During the whole period of incubation of the alga in the dark, structural integrity of the cells is preserved though the intracellular components are destroyed. Further incubation in the dark results in a complete lysis of the culture. Destruction in the intact cells does not involve DNA whose total content in the culture decreases only by the beginning of lytic processes.