SHUTTLE-LIKE MOVEMENTS OF GOLGI VESICLES IN THE TIP OF GROWING CHARA RHIZOIDS

In tip-growing Chara rhizoids, the in-vivo saltatory movements of Golgi vesicles were recorded. The movements in radial direction back and forth between the ER aggregate and the plasma membrane occurred three times more often than movements passing the ER aggregate tangentially. The mean velocity of the class of Golgi vesicles observed (0.4-1-mu-m in diameter) was approx. 0.3-mu-m/s. Higher speed of 1-1.5-mu-m/s occurred only in radial directions. Possibly, the ER aggregate is involved in guidance of the Golgi vesicles.