REDUCING SITES IN PACTERIAL CELLS OF THE ANAEROBIC GENUS CLOSTRIDIUM AND THEIR DIFFERENTIATION FROM OTHER CELL STRUCTURES

Abstract

Granular sites of oxidation-reduction are readily demonstrable in the cells of bacteria of the genus Clostridium, using either intravital redox indicators or phospholipid stains. These granules in Clostridium do not give the reactions for cytochrome oxidase. In other respects their tinetorial reactions and distribution resemble those of the oxidation-reduction sites of other bacteria, which have been defined as bacterial mitochondria (2). The reducing granules are differentiated from cell-walls and intracellular septa, nuclei, iogen granules and spores. During the process of sporulation reducing granules are demonstrable within the cytoplasm of the spore bearing cell, and in particular adjacent to the outer border of the spore. With maturation of the spore and disappearance of most or all the cytoplasm of the mother-cell, reducing granules could no longer be demonstrated.