DETAILS OF FROZEN-DRIED T3 AND T7 BACTERIOPHAGES AS SHOWN BY ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

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Abstract
The external morphology of the T3 and T7 bacteriophages of Escherichia coli was examined in the electron microscope, following preparative treatment by freeze-drying. Although these phages have been previously believed to have spherical heads and no tails, the electron micrographs of the frozen-dried particles show the heads to be hexagonal in cross-section and show, further, the existence of short, stubby appendages that can be called "tails." The appearance of the T3 and the T7 particles is identical. The distance across the head between parallel sides is 47 m[mu], and the tail is about 15 m[mu] long.