Growth and ultrastructure of Rhodomicrobium vannielii as a function of light intensity.

Cells of Rhodomicrobium vannielii were grown in a controlled environment at several different light intensities. Differential rates of bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) synthesis and specific BChl contents were inversely related to the light intensity. On the other hand, the specific rate of growth-before reaching a maximal value-was directly related to the intensity of the light. Thin sections of cells grown at moderately low light showed the typical peripherally located, symmetrically distributed lamellate system, whereas an asymmetrical distribution of a less extensive lamellate system occurred in cells grown at high light intensities. It is proposed that a limited number of individual units of the lamellate system are originally derived from inward folds of the cytoplasmic membrane, and that subsequent lamellae arise by proliferation, including possible forking and definite folding back, of the few original lamellar membranes.