The Journal of Experimental Medicine, Vol 136, 1258-1271,
Copyright © 1972 by The Rockefeller University Press
STUDIES ON GONOCOCCUS INFECTION
:
II. FREEZE-FRACTURE, FREEZE-ETCH STUDIES ON GONOCOCCI
John Swanson 1
1 From the Department of Microbiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the City University of New York, New York 10029
Gonococci have been studied by electron microscopy after freeze-cleavage, freeze-etching and the findings correlated with those obtainable through thin sectioning and negative staining. The outer membrane of the cell wall is composed of round to hexagonal subunits 80 A in diameter. This membrane is also punctuated by 80-A holes visible on the exterior of the organism and extending into the substance or through the outer membrane. Pili coursing over the surface of the organisms appear to maintain a close anatomical relationship with the cell wall. In some instances, the surfaces of the organisms are virtually covered by a layer of pili.
Submitted on June 14, 1972