THE CYTOCHEMISTRY OF BACTERIAL NUCLEAR STRUCTURES

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Abstract
Cytochemical examination of Fusobacterium polymorphum a lactobacillus, and Clostridium septicum disclosed that pentose nucleic acid is present as a cortex in their intracellular bodies. The medulla contains desoxypentose nucleic acid. Significant cytochemical differences were found in the pentose nucleic acids of the 3 microorganisms. Evidence is presented suggesting that the current technics of ribonuclease digestion and HC1 hydrolysis are not adequate for disclosing desoxypentose nucleic acid in the bacterial cell. The possibility that the intracellular bodies of bacteria may represent a cellular organelle of a different order than that represented by the nucleus in higher forms is considered.
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