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Spherical subunits in photosynthetic membranes of two cyanophyceae and the bacterium rhodospirillum rubrum

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Summary

The photosynthetic lamellae of Oscillatoria amoena and Pseudanabaena catenata appear as a two-dimensional packing of spherical units following permanganate fixation, ultrathin sectioning and high-resolution electron micrography. The usual three-layered appearance is explained as an optical artifact. Quite similar patterns were observed in chromatophore membranes of Rhodospirillum rubrum. Also, the cytoplasmic membrane of R. rubrum shows an identical pattern.

Indication is presented that thylakoids of Cyanophyceae can arise as invaginations of the cytoplasmic membrane.

The localization of chloroplast lipids in these organisms and the similarity of spherical units and quantasomes is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Medizinische Parasitologie der Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    G. Wolfgang Fuhs

  2. Division of Laboratories and Research, New York State Dapartment of Health, 12201, Albany, New York, USA

    G. Wolfgang Fuhs

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  1. G. Wolfgang Fuhs
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Fuhs, G.W. Spherical subunits in photosynthetic membranes of two cyanophyceae and the bacterium rhodospirillum rubrum. Archiv. Mikrobiol. 54, 253–265 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00408998

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00408998

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