ADAPTATION OF BACILLUS MEGATHERIUM TO TERRAMYCIN (OXYTETRACYCLINE)

Abstract
B. megatherium cultures contain a few cells per hundred million which are able to grow in the presence of terramycin. Growth of the other cells is inhibited by the antibiotic with the result that the resistant cells overgrow the culture. The resistant cells are present in the culture, without contact with terramycin, and are able to grow in the presence of terramycin, without further modification. The resistant cells are mutants of sensitive cells.