ON THE ORIGIN AND FATE OF THE FATTY INCLUSIONS IN A STRAIN OF BACILLUS CEREUS

Abstract

At the time of spore formation in strain C3 of B. cereus, each cell usually contained 3 to 5 granules which stained with Sudan black B, and gave the Sharp test for protein and a positive Feulgen reaction. These reactions were also given by the cyto-plasmic membrane from which they originated. After the completion of the endospore, the inclusions persisted in the sporangium, apparently intact, for several hrs., then gradually disintegrated. The inclusions seem to result from a break-up in the cytoplasmic membrane and its extensions and may represent an abortive tendency of the cell to divide.