Abstract
The nuclear equivalent of a stable L‐form of E. coli can be made visible by phasecontrast microscopy after appropriate adjustment of the refractive index of the carrier medium. The electron microscopical demonstration of the nuclear equivalent can be obtained by a modified OsO4 fixation after Ryter and Kellenberger. Using this preparation technique serial sections of spherical and dividing L‐form cells have been analyzed cytomorphologically.Spherical cells of a diameter of about 1 μm show nuclear equivalents like hollow spheres; in dividing cells the nuclear equivalents roughly correspond to the shape of the cells. The division of both the nuclear equivalent and the cell starts with an invagination of the cytoplasmic membrane at a limited area of the cell surface. By this process a cavity is formed within the dividing cell, which increases asymmetrically and eventually separates the cell into two daughter cells. In large L‐form cells (diameter > 2 μm) the nuclear equivalent probably is divided, but only poorly segregated and no cell division is to be seen.
Published Version
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