During the normal cell cycle in Stentor coeruleus, the presence of the existing AZM (adorai zone of membranelles) inhibits the formation of a new AZM, until the phase of morphogenesis begins.

Sucrose or urea induce shedding of the AZM. When a cell has shed its AZM, it regenerates a new AZM, at any time in the cell cycle.

If a piece of a shed AZM is implanted into the cytoplasm of a regenerating Stentor, the formation of its new AZM is significantly delayed.