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. 1986 May;166(2):435–438. doi: 10.1128/jb.166.2.435-438.1986

Kinetics of gram-negative bacterial cell elongation as measured by using the large rod "Lineola longa".

W W Baldwin, W S Wegener
PMCID: PMC214623  PMID: 3700334

Abstract

Photomicrographic data were collected to measure the kinetics of elongation of "Lineola longa," a large gram-negative rod ranging from 5 to 10 microns long, during the exponential phase of growth. Its large size makes this organism especially well suited for light microscopic observations. Because this organism is aerobic, it was necessary to ensure a saturating supply of oxygen during growth. Oxygen was supplied by using Chlorella species, in a Wheaton microculture slide, as an oxygen donor separated from the bacteria by a thin layer of agar. In another set of experiments, water-saturated air replaced Chlorella species, with similar results. Statistical analysis of the data showed that "L. longa" elongates in an exponential manner. Minicell-like structures, small spherical cells lacking DNA, were occasionally seen to be produced by aberrant septation. These minicells were seen most often at the end of the exponential-growth phase. A model of cell growth is proposed to account for these observations.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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