Summary: The ultrastructure of Bacillus finitimus and B. thuringiensis spores has been examined using the freeze-etching technique. Labelled antibodies have been used in an attempt to locate crystal antigen in the spores of B. thuringiensis, which have a more complex structure than those of B. finitimus. The results of morphological studies and the use of labelled antibodies to stain sections of sporulating cells of B. thuringiensis suggest a relationship between crystal protein and the sporecoat of the organism. The different aspects of ultrastructure and their relation to crystal structure and formation are discussed.
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