Brock T D, Edwards M R
J Bacteriol. 1970 Oct;104(1):509-17. doi: 10.1128/jb.104.1.509-517.1970.
Electron microscopic studies using thin sections revealed that Thermus aquaticus has a structure similar to that of most other gram-negative bacteria. The cell envelope is tripartite: plasma membrane, thin middle layer, and a thicker and irregular outer layer. The outer layer appears to be joined to the plasma membrane by a series of connections and, when seen in tangential section, the outer layer appears as a series of parallel bands. The cell division mechanism resembles that of typical gram-negative bacteria. Large spherical bodies designated "rotund bodies" are formed as a result of the association of a number of separate cells. In this association the outer envelope layers of the cells fuse and pull away from the middle layer. The rotund body thus appears as a series of rods, usually lying in parallel around the periphery of the sphere, completely connected by means of the fused outer layer.
使用超薄切片进行的电子显微镜研究表明，嗜热水生菌具有与大多数其他革兰氏阴性细菌相似的结构。细胞包膜由三部分组成：质膜、薄的中间层和较厚且不规则的外层。外层似乎通过一系列连接与质膜相连，在切向切片中观察时，外层呈现为一系列平行带。细胞分裂机制类似于典型的革兰氏阴性细菌。由于许多单独的细胞聚集在一起，形成了称为“圆形体”的大型球形体。在这种聚集中，细胞的外包膜层融合并从中层拉开。因此，圆形体呈现为一系列杆状，通常围绕球体周边平行排列，通过融合的外层完全连接在一起。
