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PMID: 1723487 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review

Surface layers of bacteria.

Microbiological reviews ·Vol. 55 ·No. 4 ·1991-12-00 ·Pages 684-705

Beveridge TJ, Graham LL

Abstract

Since bacteria are so small, microscopy has traditionally been used to study them as individual cells. To this end, electron microscopy has been a most powerful tool for studying bacterial surfaces; the viewing of macromolecular arrangements of some surfaces is now possible. This review compares older conventional electron-microscopic methods with new cryotechniques currently available and the results each has produced. Emphasis is not placed on the methodology but, rather, on the importance of the results in terms of our perception of the makeup and function of bacterial surfaces and their interaction with the surrounding environment.

MeSH Terms
Bacteria/ultrastructure Cell Membrane/ultrastructure Cell Wall/ultrastructure Cryopreservation Freeze Fracturing Gentian Violet Microscopy, Electron Phenazines Staining and Labeling
Chemicals
Gram's stain Phenazines Gentian Violet
Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Beveridge T J
Department of Microbiology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Graham L L
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Article Info
Journal
Microbiological reviews
Abbr.
Microbiol Rev
ISSN
0146-0749
DOI
10.1128/mr.55.4.684-705.1991
Published
1991-12-00
Pages
684-705
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
7806086
PMCID
PMC372843
Subset
IM
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1128/mr.55.4.684-705.1991 PMC Full Text
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