Ultrathin sections of yeast cells of
Cryptococcus neoforrnans, fixed in osmium tetroxide or in potassium permanganate, have been prepared and examinedwith the electron microscope.
The cell wall consists of several layers. The outer and inner layers of the wall are composed of electron dense material, and they surround the middle layer of lesser electron density. Furthermore, the inner layer is subdivided into several strata by fibrillar electron-dense structures.
The cytoplasmic membrane is present just beneath the cell wall and projects undulantly into the cytoplasm.
The nucleus is bounded by a double membrane with pores, and it lies near the middle of the cell body. No electron dense body, which is characteristic of a nucleolus, is obserevd within the nucleus.
Mitochondria are present in the periphery of the cytoplasm adjacent to the cytoplasmic membrane. They are surrounded by a double membrane and the parallel lamellae which probably correspond to the cristae mitochondriales projecting from the inner layer of the membrane.
Moreover, well defined electron-dense areas which appear to be the lipid granules are shown in various places of the cytoplasm.
In order to obtain the best materials demonstrating the finer inner structures of yeast cells, the ultrathin sections of the organism fixed in potassium permanganate should be prepared in addition to that fixed in osmium tetroxide.
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