Publication Date

1983

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Starzyk, Marvin J.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

LCSH

Bacteria--Morphology; Thermus aquaticus

Abstract

The general morphology of Thermus aquaticus, as well as the nature of its aggregate forms, was investigated by phase-contrast and scanning electron microscopy. Rods, filaments, linear arrays, rosettes, and rotund bodies were observed through both techniques. Of particular interest were the findings regarding the rotund bodies. Rotund bodies have been previously described as hollow spheres, 10 to 20 um in diameter, formed by the aggregation and subsequent fusion of the outer cell envelopes of an average of 14 T. aquaticus rods. It was apparent from this investigation that much larger bodies also occur in T. aquaticus YT-1. Scanning electron and phase contrast microscopy revearled bodies composed of hundreds of rods, with diameters up to approximately 126 um. Furthermore, rotund bodies were not static structures, but instead followed definite patterns of growth and development, the mechanisms of which were elucidated in this investigation. This development appeared to terminate in a dissociation stage, which may have implications regarding the extended stationary phase exhibited by T. aquaticus.

Comments

Bibliography: pages 90-92.

Extent

viii, 92 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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