EFFECT OF PHOSPHATE CONCENTRATION ON THE FINE STRUCTURE OF THE CYANOBACTERIUM, MICROCYSTIS AERUGINOSA KÜTZ. EMEND. ELENKIN

Abstract

Microcystis aeruginosa toxic strain UV-006 stored a fixed amount of polyphosphate in spherical granules located in the centroplasm. Twenty four hours of phosphate starvation induced use of stored polyphosphate, manifested by reduction in granule numbers. Reintroduction of 2, 4 or 8 mg l⁻¹ K₂HPO₄ resulted in redeposition of polyphosphate in a critical number of centroplasmic polyphosphate granules. Growth rate was unaffected by phosphate concentrations, although the final cell yield was slightly lower at 8 mg l ⁻¹