title: Surface layers of bacteria.
abstract: Since bacteria are so small, microscopy has traditionally been used to study them as individual cells. To this end, electron microscopy has been a most powerful tool for studying bacterial surfaces; the viewing of macromolecular arrangements of some surfaces is now possible. This review compares older conventional electron-microscopic methods with new cryotechniques currently available and the results each has produced. Emphasis is not placed on the methodology but, rather, on the importance of the results in terms of our perception of the makeup and function of bacterial surfaces and their interaction with the surrounding environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Beveridge
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D005840:Gentian Violet; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010619:Phenazines; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: C035863:Gram's stain; D010619:Phenazines; D005840:Gentian Violet