Mesosomes

MESOSOMES

  • Membrane invaginations in the form of systems of convoluted tubules and vesicles are called mesosomes. They are present in many bacteria especially gram positive bacteria.
  • There are two types - Central mesosomes and Peripheral mesosomes.
    • Central mesosomes penetrate deeply in to the cytoplasm. They are located near the middle of of the cell and appear to be attached to the nuclear material.
    • Peripheral mesosomes are shallow penetrations in to the cytoplasm. They are not restricted to central location and not associated with nuclear material.
    • Mesosomes are believed to play a role in cell division.
    • However electron microscopic studies reveal that mesosomes may be an artifact. Mesosome structure in electron microscopy
Last modified: Saturday, 12 May 2012, 5:27 AM