TAXONOMIC STUDIES ON CORYNEFORM BACTERIA

I. DIVISION OF BACTERIAL CELLS

Abstract

Cell division of the so-called eubacteria and coryneform bacteria was studied by the time lapse microscopy and microcinematography. The rodshaped bacteria were divided into the three types of simple type, snapping type, and bending type on the basis of the mode of cell division. From the results obtained the mode of bacterial cell division is considered to indicate a taxonomic significance, and eubacteria capable of growing by simple type division are clearly distinguished from coryneform bacteria which multiply by snapping or bending type.