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A PROBLEM IN JAIN BIOLOGY
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“ I found in the case of the eleven most typical mineral pyrites that the cubic-shaped crystals gave typical male reaction (no pigmentation) upon the substance in which they had been submerged, while the octagonic-shaped crystals give typical female reaction (pigmentation). This result I obtained in all cases." The following quotations are from "Outlines of Evolutionary Biology". Dr. A. Dendy aptly describes the sexual functioning in unicellular organisms : “As a case of complete morphological as well as physiological differentiation between male and female gametes in a unicellular organism, we may take that of coccidum schubergi-a parasite in the intestine of centipede. Spherical ovum and spermatozoa are produced. The spermatozoa is a flagellate monad actively swimming about. It seeks out the ovum and exercises a peculiar attraction upon it and the two conjugate, the spermatozoon boring its way into the ovum and their nuclei fusing to form the zygote nucleus. The only trace of activity which the ovum exhibits is the protrusion of a small 'cone of reception from the cell towards the approaching spermatozoon, which seems to indicate that the attraction is mutual. This is a complete differentiation of gametes as we meet with in any of the most highly organised plants and animals."
“ In the case of spirogyra (a fresh water plant) the male and female gametes are of different shape............ The gamete from one cellchamber creeps through the canal into the other chamber and conjugates with the gamete which there awaits it ............one entire filament may produce nothing but male gametes and may therefore be regarded as a male plant, while the other may produce only fernale gametes and therefore be regarded as a female plant."
" In Fucus vesiculosus (sea-weed) distinct male and female plants exist. Certain branches contain the sexual organs, male antheridia and female oogonia ............"
“In many cases complete sexual differentiation is manifested by the entire flowers themselves, some having stamens without carpels and others carpels without stamen.............." But one
thing worthy of notice is the following. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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