Electron microscopy of centrifuged hyphae of Neurospora

Abstract

Normal and centrifuged hyphae of Neurospora were studied with the electron microscope. The following cell structures could be identified: nuclei with nucleoli, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, glycogen, fat bodies, vacuoles, and vesicles with an inner canalicular system, of unknown nature. In centrifuged hyphae, the glycogen layer appeared as a light area, with a slight indication of granular structure. The ribosome layer consisted of densely packed ribosomes without any membranes. The mitochondrial layer contained spaces filled with ribosomes. The nuclei were loosely packed, with endoplasmic reticulum between them. The "enchylema" layer was composed of vesicles belonging to the endoplasmic reticulum. The vacuolar layer was poorly preserved and consisted of double-walled vesicles. Fat appeared as stellate osmiophilic droplets. These observations were compared with previous observations under the optical microscope and their meaning for cell physiology was discussed.