Ultrastructural study of poly- -hydroxybutyrate granules from Bacillus cereus.
The freeze-etching technique was used to examine the effects of fracturing and etching on the appearance of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate granules from Bacillus cereus. These granules were examined in extracts isolated by hypochlorite or by sonic treatment, and also in fixed and unfixed intact cells; in the latter case they were compared with granules in thin sections of intact cells. After freeze-fracturing, the diameter of the granules in intact cells was between 240 and 720 nm. The granules consisted of a central core, of diameter between 140 and 370 nm, which occupied less than 50% of the volume of the granule and which was either stretched or removed on fracturing; the core was surrounded by an outer coat which may be bounded by a membrane.
D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000166:cytology*; D003470:Culture Media; D005613:Freeze Etching; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000032:analysis*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011108:Polymers; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013997:Time Factors; D014732:Vibration
D003470:Culture Media; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D011108:Polymers