Henney, Henry R., Jr.2022-06-202022-06-2019762626285https://hdl.handle.net/10657/9447A method of inducing haploid differentiation (encystment) in the myxomycete Physarum flavicomum variety 1 is established. Incubation of mid-log phase myxamoebae-swarm cells from SD medium to basal salts solution at pH 4 gives a high percentage yield of microcysts. The microcysts are viable upon transfer back to growth medium. Intracellular protein and carbohydrate are degraded to a great extent during this process. RNA degradation is observed and condensation of cytoplasmic materials occurs upon encystment. DNA is conserved and less than 10% is degraded after 72 hours incubation. The cell walls of the mature microcysts are isolated and purified. Chemical analyses on the walls reveal the presence of an amino sugar D-galactosamine and neutral sugars D-glucose, D-galactose and D-ribose. Lipid and protein together are found to constitute more than 40% of the dry weight of the walls. Individual amino acids in the wall protein are identified by amino acid analysis. The microcyst walls also contain 5.8% phosphorus. A total of 91.3% of the components of the purified, dry microcyst walls have been identified. [...]application/pdfenThis item is protected by copyright but is made available here under a claim of fair use (17 U.S.C. Section 107) for non-profit research and educational purposes. Users of this work assume the responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing, or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires express permission of the copyright holder.Thesisreformatted digital