DISPOSITION OF MEMBRANES IN ALCALIGENES FAECALIS

Abstract

Phosphorylating extracts from A. faecalis show membranous vesicles after osmium tetroxide as well as after potassium permanganate fixation. In the intact cell the only membranes which are obvious after treatment with either fixative are cell membranes. Apparent internal membranes observed in some preparations, are cell membranes which have pulled away from the cell wall. It is concluded that the vesicles contained in cell-free extracts capable of oxidative phos-phorylation are derived from the cell membrane.