The ultrastructure of the major species of an enriched methanogenic culture utilizing acetic acid

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the cells of the major component of an enriched culture of a presumed methanogen which utilized acetic acid was studied by transmission and scanning election microscopy. The filaments were composed of Gram-positive, rod-shaped cells, 1–2 μm in length and about 0.5 μm in breadth, attached end to end. Septa between cells were complex, with a central, electron-dense sheet which had a spherical enlargement in the center separating the cell walls. The cells walls themselves were of variable thickness with a light, fluffy, thin portion on the outside and a denser, thicker portion within. They contain a series of rings stacked side by side which are composed of material that stains strongly and positively with phosphotungstate ion. The cytoplasmic membrane of these cells had an outer leaflet which stains more densely with uranium and lead ions than the inner leaflet. There were no recognizable organelles in the cytoplasm other than ribosomes. It is shown in these observations that the presumed methanogen may likely be a new species.