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. 1973 Jun;114(3):1271–1280. doi: 10.1128/jb.114.3.1271-1280.1973

Ultrastructural Study of Poly-β-Hydroxybutyrate Granules from Bacillus cereus

Winifred F Dunlop 1, A W Robards 1
PMCID: PMC285391  PMID: 4123236

Abstract

The freeze-etching technique was used to examine the effects of fracturing and etching on the appearance of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate granules from Bacillus cereus. These granules were examined in extracts isolated by hypochlorite or by sonic treatment, and also in fixed and unfixed intact cells; in the latter case they were compared with granules in thin sections of intact cells. After freeze-fracturing, the diameter of the granules in intact cells was between 240 and 720 nm. The granules consisted of a central core, of diameter between 140 and 370 nm, which occupied less than 50% of the volume of the granule and which was either stretched or removed on fracturing; the core was surrounded by an outer coat which may be bounded by a membrane.

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Selected References

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