Studies on gonococcus infection. II. Freeze-fracture, freeze-etch studies on gonocci.

Gonococci have been studied by electron microscopy after freeze-cleavage, freeze-etching and the findings correlated with those obtainable through thin sectioning and negative staining. The outer membrane of the cell wall is composed of round to hexagonal subunits 80 A in diameter. This membrane is also punctuated by 80-A holes visible on the exterior of the organism and extending into the substance or through the outer membrane. Pili coursing over the surface of the organisms appear to maintain a close anatomical relationship with the cell wall. In some instances, the surfaces of the organisms are virtually covered by a layer of pili.