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Growth characteristics of selected mutants of a coccoid blue-green alga

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Summary

After exposure of cells to N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine a series of stable mutants of the marine coccoid blue-green alga, Agmenellum quadruplicatum, were isolated.

  1. 1.

    Two of these mutants were blocked at nitrate reductase and required nitrite or ammonium ion for growth.

  2. 2.

    Four of the mutants were blocked at nitrite reductase, required NH4 + for growth but had a functional nitrate reductase. These mutants readily reduced NO3 - to NO2 -.

  3. 3.

    Two of the mutants had altered phycocyanin/chlorophyll a ratios, together with slightly impaired growth rates.

  4. 4.

    Mutant AQ-19 responded to casamino acids and possibly represents an amino acid auxotroph.

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Stevens, S.E., Van Baalen, C. Growth characteristics of selected mutants of a coccoid blue-green alga. Archiv. Mikrobiol. 72, 1–8 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00411008

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