[Cellular ultrastructure of various species of the genus Bifidobacterium].

Morphologic heterogeneity of cells from developing populations of bifidobacteria correlates with ultrastructure peculiarities. Active proliferating cells in exponential phase are characterized by formation of intracytoplasmatic membrane complex represented by lamellar, myelinoform, vesicular structures. Nucleoid is localized as the central polybranched or disperse osmophobic zone. Nucleoid distribution is determined by morphogenesis processes--exobudding, branching or multiseptation. Electronograms reveal multiple polyphosphate and polysaccharide inclusions. Ageing of bifidobacterial populations is accompanied with ultrastructural changes: cell wall hypersynthesis, reorganization and increased size of intracytoplasmatic membrane complex, altered morphology and compactness of nuclei, formation and dissimilation of inclusions.