Phosphorylase Activity in Relation to the Layering of Starch Granules

ARTHUR MEYER firmly believed that the layering of starch granules corresponded to the alternation of day and night, and this belief is still shared by the authors of modern text-books. If this were true, then layers should disappear when starch granules develop under constant outer conditions of illumination, temperature and moisture. The only positive result of such an experiment was reported by van de Sande-Bakhuyzen for wheat. All other results appear to be negative. Salter found layers when starch granules grew in darkness, Fischer observed them after constant illumination, and according to Küster more than two layers could be deposited during one day.