ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF SYMBIOTIC BACTERIA IN DEVELOPING OOCYTES OF THE AMERICAN COCKROACH, PERIPLANETA AMERICANA

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Abstract
An electron microscope study of ultrathin sections of developing cockroach oocytes reveals a close relationship between the microvilli of the egg membrane and the symbiotic bacteria (bacteroids) suggesting an active exchange of metabolites. The bacteroids have a cell wall between 50 and 90 A thick, and a very thin cell membrane 17 to 35 A thick. The diffuse low density nuclear area occasionally exhibits dense filaments 85 to 135 A wide. A granular ground cytoplasm is interspersed among the nuclear zones of the bacteroids. The presence of multiple peripheral bodies, as well as a characteristic cellular structure and mode of division, leave little doubt that these symbiotes are true bacteria.

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