Chromosome movements during cell-division

This chapter is concerned with chromosome movements during unuphur. of cell-division. It deals with such problems as the morphological identification of the material(s) which transmit force to the chromosomes, and the composition and function of this material. At the present time very little is known about such problems, but I hope that this survey will point out some of the questions which need be, and can now be, asked.

The material will be discussed in the following order: (a) the time course of cell-division as seen in living and fixed cells, defining the terms to be used, and defining the problem: chromosome movements during anaphase; (b) the morphological and chemical nature of the materials controlling chromosome movement as deduced from light microscopic observations and experiments; (c) electron microscopic observations and their relation to the light microscopic observations; and finally, (d) biochemical analyses of the spindle as studied by isolation techniques.

In all four sections I touch on many problems which are discussed in more detail in the following general reviews: Wilson; Cornman; Hughes; Schrader; and Mazia (1961).