Abstract:By using conventional and stereo electron microscopy, helical structures were revealed in prophase and telophase chromosomes of root tip cells of Vicia faba. Longitudinal and transverse sections of the chromosomes showed that both prophase and telophase chromosomes were composed of chromatin fibres about 0.5μm in diameter and among the 0.5μm chromatin fibre thinner chromatin fibres with a diameter of about 0.2μm were found. In transverse sections, prophase chromosomes appeared to be a circular structure which contained a low electron density centre encircled by the 0.5 μm fibre. In longitudinal section of the chromosomes, the 0.5 μm fibres were seen to be orientated parallel to each other while constituted roughly a right angle to the long axis of the chromosome. Helical coils consisting of the 0.5μm fibre were identified easily by stereo electron microscopy. In transverse sections of telophase chromosomes, both the circular structure similar to that of the prophase chromosomes and the hoof-shaped structure composed of the 0.5μm fibre were observed, demonstrating4 the de-spiralization of the helical coils in the decondensation of the chromosomes. Based on these observations, the radial loop. model and the multiple coiling model are discussed.