Characterization of the central body of theAzotobacter cyst

Comparative electron microscopy of cysts and central bodies following sonication revealed little alteration in cysts but reduction of central bodies to cellular debris after only 2 min, indicating central bodies were resistant to bacteriophage adsorption at 0 hr and required about 4 hr incubation before Adsorption could occur.

Abstract

Filar micrometer measurements of the central body during its conversion to the vegetative cell indicated an initial spherical body of about 1.7 microns in diameter. The central body first increases in diameter then elongates such that its length is 2–2.5 times the diameter. Central bodies supplemented with casein hydrolysate in addition to sucrose formed vegetative cells in only 8 hr instead of the usual 12. Central bodies were quite susceptible to lysis by EDTA-lysozyme or citrate-lysozyme, but relatively insensitive to citrate-EDTA or single employment of EDTA or citrate. Comparative electron microscopy of cysts and central bodies following sonication revealed little alteration in cysts but reduction of central bodies to cellular debris after only 2 min. Central bodies were resistant to bacteriophage adsorption at 0 hr and required about 4 hr incubation before adsorption could occur.