Abstract

A many-celled, magnetotactic, prokaryote obtained from brackish water possessed intercellular connections at points of contact between the outer membranes of constituent cells. These connections structurally resembled the "gap junctions" found in eukaryotes. Each aggregate organism consisted of 10 to 30 individual gram-negative cells containing material with the appearance of poly-š¯›½-hydroxybutyrate and magnetosomes of unusual arrangement, structure and composition. The aggregate, which possessed prokaryotic-type flagella arranged at the outward surfaces of each cell, showed motility indicative of coordination between individual component cells. These results suggest that this organism is a multicellular prokaryote.

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Physics

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The original publication is available at http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/biochemistry+&+biophysics/book/978-0-306-43718-2.

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URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/phy_fac/235