STRUCTURAL ASPECTS OF THE ADAPTATION OF NOSTOC-MUSCORUM TO SALT

The physiological and biochemical changes during the adaptation of N. muscorum to salt are accompanied by specific structural changes. Cells of N. muscorum exposed to saline medium vary in size and envelope organization. There are also drastic changes in the intracellular organization of the thylakoidal assembly. The heterocysts exhibit a preferential tolerance to NaCl rather than mannitol. Apparently, N. muscorum is equipped with a specific physiological capacity for NaCl tolerance.