Introduction

1. Introduction Arabidopsis thaliana is widely studied due to its small genome and the many mutant lines available (Rédei, 1969, Bowman, 1994). The first quantitative study and detailed observations of ovule development of megagametophytic stages was of five Cornus L. species using a clearing technique (Smith, 1973, Smith 1975) . Clearing techniques allows you to halt the development of ovaries in certain stages and observe them with clarity using phase contrast microscopy. Morphological size disparities in the different developmental stages could be detected by calculating Fibonacci sequences in successive stages Many life-forms have the golden ratio in some aspects of their design e.g., flowering plants have petals that are fibonacci numbers such lilies, iris, corn, asters, etc Objectives To obtain the Mean and CI of the length and width of megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis stages of A. thaliana . To use the means of the widths and lengths to see if the Fibonacci sequence can be determined (the golden ratio, phi) Methods and Materials Measuring of Length and Width of Ovules from Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) HEYNH. undergoing Megagametogenesis and determining the Fibonacci Sequence using the MeanAshad Syed* and Bruce SmithYork College of PA A. thaliana, Landsbergecotype grown from seeds in greenhouse • Conclusion • All four developmental stages were successfully measured • The mean length and width of each stage resulted in the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio • The changes in cell morphology throughout megagametogenesis were proportional as demonstrated by the golden ratio, phi • Literature Cited • Bowman. 1994. Arabidopsis: An Atlas of Morphology and Development.Springer- Verlag, New York • Rédei, G.P. 1969. Bibliographia Genetica XXI: 1-151. • Smith, Bruce B. 1973. The use of a New Clearing Technique for the Study of Early Ovule Development, Megasporogenesis, and Megagametogenesis in Five Species of Cornus L. American Journal of Botany 60(4): 322- 338. • Smith, B, B. 1975. A Quantitative Analysis of the Megagametophyte of Five Species of Cornus L. American Journal of Botany 62(4): 387-394 • Smyth, David R., Bowman, John L., and Meyerowitz, Elliot M. 1990. Early Flower Development in Arabidopsis. The Plant Cell 2:755-767. • Acknowledgements • I would like to thank Dr. Bruce Smith for his guidance and invaluable expertise throughout this project. Fixed for 24 hrs in FPA50 and then treated with ETOH dehydration treatment with 10-15 min exposure to each fluid 70% →80% →90% →95% →100% Added to Herr Fluid Observed under phase contrast microscope at 100x magnification FM 4-nucleated cells 2-nucleated cells 8-nucleated cells Measure length and width using software Compute data to determine if Fibonacci sequence can be obtained (Golden Ratio) Results