CELLULAR RESPONSE TO DELETERIOUS AGENTS DURING THE COURSE OF SYNCHRONOUS GROWTH OF ESCHERICHIA COLI

Abstract

Changes in cellular susceptibility to chemical, physical, and biological agents during the course of cellular growth are investigated using synchronously growing E. coli cultures. Immature cells appear to be more susceptible to the action of chloramphenicol, sodium cyanide, and UV irradiation. Physiological and cytological studies disclosed that the change in UV sensitivity during cell growth can be attributed to the number of nuclei per cell. Phage T2 re-producibility in the host cell is also dependent on the age of the cell when infected with parent phage. More progeny phages were produced when parent phages invaded mature cells than when they invaded immature cells.