Cytological studies of bacteria
3. On the nucleus and autogamy of Bacillus megatherium
1959 Volume 34 Issue 3 Pages 88-95
Details
1959 Volume 34 Issue 3 Pages 88-95
The author confirmed that the resting nucleus of Bacillus megatherium is spherical-shaped as in the case of the higher organisms when stained by Giemsa-staining, HCI-Giemsa staining, perchloric-Giemsa-staining and Feulgen nuclear staining.
This fact is also confirmed in vivo by phase-contrast microscope.
Judging from the results obtained by phase-contrast microscopy and HCI-Giemsa staining, it is thought that the chromosome number is two in the case of Bacillus megatherium (n=2).
Each cell has one nucleus which can be observed by phase contrast microscope or by the method of Johne's cell wall staining.
The karyogamy has been observed continually by phase contrast microscope. Before the karyogamy, the cell divides into many small ones.
Each small cell has two chromosome like bodies in it. Two adjoining cells fuse each other and two nuclei fuse, too.
The karyogamy is carried out in the state of resting nucleus. The fused nucleus changes into spherical form from cylindrical one. This phenomenon can be thought as autogamy. It takes about thirty minutes in the case of the autogamy.
This phenomenon can be thought as sexual reproductive one in the life-cycle of Bacillus megatherium.
