LOCALIZATION OF STRUCTURAL POLYMERS IN THE CELL WALL OF NEUROSPORA CRASSA

Abstract

The distribution and localization of structural polymers in the cell wall of Neurospora crassa has been studied by selective removal and light and electron microscope examination. Observations with the light microscope indicated that each polymer by itself can provide structural integrity to the cell wall. Examination by electron microscopy showed that the cell wall consists of an outer layer of thick fibrils, identified chemically as a glucan-peptide-galactosamine complex, and an inner layer made up of ß-1,3 glucan and thin fibrils of chitin.