FLAGELLAR APPARATUS OF RHODOPSEUDOMONAS PALUSTRIS .I. AN INVESTIGATION OF FINE STRUCTURE OF POLAR ORGANELLE

The polar organelle of Rhodopseudomonas palustris strain 11/1 is a complex structure. It consists of the outer and inner limited layers and of the central layer of the polar organelle. Between the outer boundary layer plus central layer and the inner boundary layer plus central layer there is an electron-transparent space of about 85-90 A diameter. This space is interrupted by fine stalks. They are attached on both ends to spherical subunits having a diameter of 40 A. These subunits are arranged in the outer and inner boundary layers and in the double-layered central layer of the polar organelle. The central layer has a diameter of about 60 A. It is continuous with the boundary layers. The upper and lower spokes of the polar organelle alternate with another. The polar organelle may be attached to the cytoplasmic membrane. It may be partially invaginated in the cytoplasm, and then it is always attached to the polar thylakoid. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.