The Cell Walls of Platymonas

Abstract

Electron micrographs of cell walls of the unicellular green flagellate Platymonas subcordiformis revealed no evidence of a fibrous construction. A preparation of walls was isolated, hydrolyzed, and analyzed by paper chromatography. The major components indicated were galactose and a uronic acid; glucose was not detected. It was concluded that the cell walls of this alga are not composed of cellulose.