Comparative ultrastructure of the thiobacilli.
The ultrastructure of seven Thiobacillus species was studied. The structure of their cell envelopes is similar, if not identical, to that found in other gram-negative bacteria. Obvious differences were noted in the middle layer of the cell envelope of the seven cultures. Polyhedral inclusion bodies were apparent in four of the organisms: T. thioparus, T. neapolitanus, T. intermedius, and T. thiooxidans. Lamellar bodies, similar to those present in certain photosynthetic bacteria were found in a few cells of T. thioparus. Structures resembling mesosomes were discovered in T. dinitrificans. A few cells of T. intermedius possessed paracrystalline bodies. Other inclusions, probably volutin and polysaccharide, were present in some of the cultures.
D002462:Cell Membrane; D002467:Cell Nucleus; D003593:Cytoplasm; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013045:Species Specificity; D013855:Thiobacillus / Q000166:cytology*