Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Determination of the strength of the cell walls of vegetative cells ofBacillus megaterium andBacillus stearothermophilus

  • Published:
Current Microbiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The tensile strength of the cell walls ofBacillus megaterium andBacillus stearothermophilus was found to be about 2.4×107 N/m2. The internal pressure and water activity of the cells were 14 atm, 0.99 aw forB. megaterium and 28 atm, 0.98 aw forB. stearothermophilus. The greater strength ofB. stearothermophilus cells, considered as pressure vessels, restricts absorption of water by the protoplasm so that the water content on a dry weight basis is 3.4 g/g forB. megaterium cells in water but only 1.8 g/g forB. stearothermophilus.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  1. Ford, W. W., Laurach, C. A., Lawrence, J. S., Rice, J. L. 1916. Studies on aerobic spore bearing non pathogenic bacteria. Journal of Bacteriology1:273–319, 493–533.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Lamanna, C. 1940. Relation between temperature growth range and size in the genus Bacillus. Journal of Bacteriology39:593–596.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Makowski, L. 1976. A physical basis for red blood cell membrane elasticity. Journal of Theoretical Biology61:27–46.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Marquis, R. E. 1967. Osmotic sensitivity of bacterial protoplasts and the response of their limiting membrane to stretching. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics118:323–331.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Mitchell, P., Moyle, J. 1966. Osmotic function and structure in bacteria. Symposia of the Society for General Microbiology6:150–179.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Warth, A. D. 1981. Stabilization of spore enzymes to heat by reduction in water activity, pp. 249–252. In: Levinson, H. S., Sonenshein, A. L., Tipper, D. J. (eds.), Sporulation and germination. Washington, D. C.: American Society for Microbiology.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Watt, I. C. 1960. Kinetic studies of the wool-water system. Part 1 The influence of water concentration. Textile Research Journal30:443–450.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Watt, I. C., Leeder, J. D. 1962. Effect of chemical modifications on keratin+water isotherms. Textile Research Journal32:1335–1343.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Weibull, C. 1955. The localisation of a permeability barrier in the cells ofBacillus megaterium. Experimental Cell Research9:139–147.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Weibull, C. 1955. Osmotic properties of protoplasts ofBacillus megaterium. Experimental Cell Research9:294–304.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Food Research, CSIRO, P.O. Box 52, 2113, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia

    J. E. Algie & J. A. Lindsay

  2. Division of Textile Physics, CSIRO, 338 Blaxland Road, 2112, Ryde, New South Wales, Australia

    I. C. Watt

Authors
  1. J. E. Algie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. A. Lindsay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I. C. Watt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Algie, J.E., Lindsay, J.A. & Watt, I.C. Determination of the strength of the cell walls of vegetative cells ofBacillus megaterium andBacillus stearothermophilus . Current Microbiology 9, 13–17 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01567127

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01567127

Keywords

Search

Navigation