The fine structure of hyphal cells of Aspergillus niger has been studied by means of electron microscopy of ultrathin sections. Permanganate fixation of the hyphae, especially in combination with uranyl nitrate, is far more effective in preserving their detail structures and enhancing the general contrast than osmium tetroxide fixation. The examination of the vegetative hyphae of mold reveals a considerably complicated and differentiated organization similar to that of higher organisms. Among yeasts and molds, A. niger is considered to be one of the fungi which possess a higher standard of differentiation in cell structure.
Well developed double-membrane strands, resembling the endoplasmic reticulum previously described in both animal and plant cells, are much noteworthy as a peculiar structural element of the mold. These strands may be connected to the other membranous structures scattered within the cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondrion, vacuole, and cytoplasmic membrane. A spherical electron-dense granule, called a peripheral or septal body found in hyphal cells of certain dermatophytes, is also demonstrable at the peripheral end of A. niger hypha. This body is an important organelle of filamentous fungi consisting of septate hyphae in addition to the septal pore.
The other fundamental structures, usually seen in fungal cells as call wall, cytoplasmic membrane, nucleus, mitochondrion, storage granule, and vacuole, are also observable in the vegetative hyphae of the mold.
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