A review of some recent work on papillary variation in bacteria and bacterial cytology

Abstract

Some recent advances in the subject of bacterial variation and cytology are:(1) The white race ofBact. coli-mutabilecontains lactase, inhibited by some cause unknown (Deereet al.1939). Deere (1939) suggests that the cells of the white race may be impermeable to lactose while the lactase system is intracellular.(2) Variation from non-lactose-fermenter to lactose fermenter inBact. coli-mutabiletakes place on lactose only (Stewart, 1942).(3) The nucleus ofMyxococcus xanthusconsists of definite chromatin masses. A process resembling karyokinesis and autogamic conjugation precedes spore formation (Beebe, 1941).(4) The nucleus of vegetative bacterial cells consists of a pair of dumbbell-shaped chromatinic bodies, which split longitudinally before cell division. The dumbbell bodies are comparable to the chromosomes of animals and plants (Robinow, 1942).(5) Careful plating provides unquestionably pure lines in the coliform group (Stewart, 1942).