ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF THIN SECTIONS OF CANDIDA UTILIS: THE STRUCTURE OF THE CELL WALL.

Abstract

Details of the structure of the Candida utilis cell wall were described. Using intact cells, cell walls, about 0.02 mμ thick, have been resolved into three electron dense layers, each about 700 A thick, made up of materials of very similar electron opacity. The central and the inner layers of the wall seem to be closely packed forming a slightly more compact structure of somewhat greater electron density. Laminations were observed in some of the inner layers of the sections, particularly in some areas where the cell wall had separated: The possibility of this lamination being associated with the presence of chitin in the framework of the cell wall is discussed. Interesting observations have also been made in the sections of the heat-killed cells confirming the existence of a central electron dense cell wall layer, differing from the inner and the outer ones. Underlying the cell wall is the cytoplasmic membrane, a not too well defined sinous structure with some invaginations.