Measurement of an inhibitory zone.
An inhibitory zone mechanism generates the heterocyst pattern in Anabaena. These inhibitory zones can be measured; we find that they extend about five cells on either side of a heterocyst. We can use our observations to predict with reasonable accuracy which cells in the filaments will differentiate into heterocysts.
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000166:cytology*