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. 1968 Nov;96(5):1835–1847. doi: 10.1128/jb.96.5.1835-1847.1968

Cytology of Spore Germination in Clostridium pectinovorum1

Judith F M Hoeniger a, C L Headley a
PMCID: PMC315247  PMID: 4882027

Abstract

The process of spore germination in Clostridium pectinovorum has been followed by phase-contrast and electron microscopy. Unlike most other Bacillaceae, germination of this species takes place within the sporangium. Under phase-contrast, the spore darkens and swells slightly, and then the vegetative rod slips out through the end opposite the collar-like extension of the sporangium. In thin sections, a spore from an early stage in germination consists of a central protoplast, core membrane, germ cell wall, cortex, and two coats. Within a short period, the cortex disintegrates and the young cell develops. It possesses a large fibrillar nucleoplasm and several mesosomes. Subsequently, the young cell elongates, becomes somewhat deformed, and then emerges through a narrow aperture in the inflexible coats of the spore, finally rupturing the sporangium. Free vegetative cells of C. pectinovorum resemble in their structure other gram-positive rods.

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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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