The Endogenous Respiration of Bacillus cereus

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Abstract
The endogenous respiration of suspensions of B. cereus was followed for periods up to 24 hours, and correlated with changes in fat-content and Gram reaction. The rate of respiration during the first 6 hours was greater the younger the cells used. After a period of 6 to 10 hrs. (increasing with the age of the cells) the rate of respiration declined exponentially with time. The onset of this decline was not delayed by lowering the rate of respiration by the addition of salt. During respiration the cells became smaller, lost their gram-positive character, and their fat-content decreased greatly. These changes can be related to the exponential decline of respiration, if it be assumed that respiration depends on enzyme centers which are uniformly distributed over the surface of the cells.