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Experiments to demonstrate the importance of the nucleus in controlling growth and heredity were performed on
A. Acetabularia
B. Neurospora
C. Leucocytes
D. Starfish eggs

Answer
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Hint: The nucleus is the master organelle of the cell. It contains DNA as genetic material that assists the cell to perform desired metabolic functions. The experiment to demonstrate the importance of the nucleus was done on a gigantic size, single-celled green algae. It is complex in form and belongs to a unicellular genus. It is easily found in subtropical waters.

Complete answer: Hammerling gave the nucleocytoplasmic experiments to prove that all the hereditary or genetic information is enclosed inside a nucleus. He concluded that the nucleus controls all the metabolic activities that take place in the cytoplasm of the cell. He used two species named A.mediterranea and A.crenulata belonging to the genus Acetabularia and family Polyphysaceae.
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-Acetabularia is a unicellular genus that includes single-celled complex algal species that are mostly green in color. The body consists of a cap, stalk, and foot. It is capable of multiple regenerations from rhizoid regions. Hammerling used this organism as this is gigantic and easily available.
-Neurospora is a fungal species that resembles neurons structurally. They are minute and can be seen when they form molds, usually bread molds. They are not a part of Hammerling’s experiment.
-Leukocytes or white blood cells are part of the immune system of the human body. They regulate in the bloodstream and are colorless cells. All nucleated granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes are different types of leukocytes. These cells are not studied for the experimental demonstration of the nucleus as a controlling unit of cells.
-Starfish eggs are million tiny eggs released by starfish during the spawning period. They are difficult to obtain for study purposes and are very minute to study. So, they are not experimental subjects in Hammerling’s experiment.
Thus, option A is the correct answer.

Note: Despite the structural similarity between Acetabularia and Neurospora they both belong to different kingdoms and should not be confused. Acetabularia possesses the power of regeneration from all of its parts. But it was noticed by Hammerling that the enucleated parts have limited regenerative properties. But the parts having the nucleus regenerates infinitely.