title: Electron microscopic investigation of the hydrogen-oxidizing acetate-forming anaerobic bacterium Acetobacterium woodii.
abstract: Acetobacterium woodii is a Gram-positive anaerobic nonsporeforming bacterium able to grow on H2 and CO2 as sole sources of energy. The product of fermentation is acetic acid. Fine structural analysis showed rod-shaped flagellated cells, and coccoid cells without flagella arranged predominantly in pairs and chains. The cell wall was found to be composed of three layers. The cell surface exhibited a periodic array of particles consisting of subunits. The cytoplasmic membrane showed particles either in random distribution or in a hexagonal pattern. Intracytoplasmic membranes were rarely observed, whereas inclusion bodies of varying shapes, predominantly in an uncommon disc-shape, could frequently be observed. Their content was dissolved in ultrathin sections indicating hydrophobic nature.
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000091:Acetobacter / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005285:Fermentation; D005407:Flagella / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005613:Freeze Etching; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D006859:Hydrogen