A LIGHT AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY OF INTERLAMELLAR POLYGLUCOSIDE BODIES IN OSCILLATORIA CHALYBIA

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Abstract
A light and electron microscopic study of interlamellar granules in Oscillatoria chalybia was made to determine their physiological nature. Oscillatoria chalybia was cultured under continuous light in media of high nitrogen content, moderate nitrogen content and low nitrogen content. Cultures growing vigorously in a medium of moderate nitrogen content were placed in darkness for an additional 96 hr. Periodic acid‐Schiffs reagent tests were made on specimens from these 4 cultural conditions. Electron microscopic studies of interlamellar granules were correlated with the cytochemical tests. It is shown that diastase digestion will eliminate the PAS‐positive substance and the interlamellar granules. Conclusions are that the interlamellar granules are polyglucoside in nature and that they vary in number and size with available nitrogen, light intensity and age of culture in such a way as to indicate that they are food reserves.