582 SESSION VI. DISCUSSION 



Thus, we put forward the hypothesis that the process of biosynthesis of all polymers 

 referred to consists of two stages ; the process of polymerization of energy-rich monomers 

 with the help of a 'primer' and the process of partial, limited hydrolytic splitting of the 

 polymers which arc formed in the first place (sec Fig. ij. In this process the 'primer' 

 often plays the part of a matrix. 



The remark that the 'primer' may play the part of a matrix obviously requires clari- 

 fication. 



It is well known, for example, that the degree of branching of the chains of a poly- 

 saccharide synthesized by amylophosphorylase from glucose phosphate depends on the 

 nature of the 'primer' (Kuzin). This is an experimental fact which shows the way in which 

 there may develop, from one and the same monomer, high polymers which differ from 

 one another in their structure. 



