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Summary: The cell volume and macromolecular composition, in terms of DNA, RNA and cell mass, were examined in Anacystis nidulans at different growth rates of the organism. Both DNA and RNA increased exponentially with increasing growth rate, as has been found in several heterotrophic bacteria. However, in this blue- green alga the ratio of DNA to RNA was independent of growth rate. Cell mass and volume also increased exponentially with growth rate though at a slower rate than RNA and DNA. These results also indicate a constant ratio of tRNA and rRNA to DNA in contrast to the situation in heterotrophic bacteria so far studied.
The variation of cell volume in this organism can be related to the control of cell division, and indicates that the commencement of DNA replication and the processes of cell division are associated with the achievement of a critical cell volume, as has been demonstrated for Escherichia coli.
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