Biomaterial Database

Microcysts of the cellular slime mold Polysphondylium pallidum. II. Chemistry of the microcyst walls. 1967

M A Toama, and K B Raper

Methods are described for obtaining large masses of myxamoebae, for inducing these to form microcysts, and for the isolation of the microcyst walls from other cell components. The walls were fractionated into two parts, one alkali-soluble, the other alkali insoluble. The alkali-insoluble fraction is a type of cellulose and constitutes 28% of the microcyst wall by weight. The alkali-soluble fraction contains a glycogenlike material, lipids, and proteins. A possible mechanism of microcyst wall synthesis is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008055	Lipids	A generic term for fats and lipoids, the alcohol-ether-soluble constituents of protoplasm, which are insoluble in water. They comprise the fats, fatty oils, essential oils, waxes, phospholipids, glycolipids, sulfolipids, aminolipids, chromolipids (lipochromes), and fatty acids. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Lipid
D008858	Microscopy, Phase-Contrast	A form of interference microscopy in which variations of the refracting index in the object are converted into variations of intensity in the image. This is achieved by the action of a phase plate.	Phase-Contrast Microscopy,Microscopies, Phase-Contrast,Microscopy, Phase Contrast,Phase Contrast Microscopy,Phase-Contrast Microscopies
D009235	Myxomycetes	A division of organisms that exist vegetatively as complex mobile plasmodia, reproduce by means of spores, and have complex life cycles. They are now classed as protozoa but formerly were considered fungi.	Myxomycota,Protosteliomycetes,Slime Molds, Plasmodial,Slime Molds, True,Mold, Plasmodial Slime,Mold, True Slime,Molds, Plasmodial Slime,Molds, True Slime,Myxomycete,Myxomycotas,Plasmodial Slime Mold,Plasmodial Slime Molds,Protosteliomycete,Slime Mold, Plasmodial,Slime Mold, True,True Slime Mold,True Slime Molds
D011506	Proteins	Linear POLYPEPTIDES that are synthesized on RIBOSOMES and may be further modified, crosslinked, cleaved, or assembled into complex proteins with several subunits. The specific sequence of AMINO ACIDS determines the shape the polypeptide will take, during PROTEIN FOLDING, and the function of the protein.	Gene Products, Protein,Gene Proteins,Protein,Protein Gene Products,Proteins, Gene
D002241	Carbohydrates	A class of organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a ratio of Cn(H2O)n. The largest class of organic compounds, including STARCH; GLYCOGEN; CELLULOSE; POLYSACCHARIDES; and simple MONOSACCHARIDES.	Carbohydrate
D002473	Cell Wall	The outermost layer of a cell in most PLANTS; BACTERIA; FUNGI; and ALGAE. The cell wall is usually a rigid structure that lies external to the CELL MEMBRANE, and provides a protective barrier against physical or chemical agents.	Cell Walls,Wall, Cell,Walls, Cell
D002482	Cellulose	A polysaccharide with glucose units linked as in CELLOBIOSE. It is the chief constituent of plant fibers, cotton being the purest natural form of the substance. As a raw material, it forms the basis for many derivatives used in chromatography, ion exchange materials, explosives manufacturing, and pharmaceutical preparations.	Alphacel,Avicel,Heweten,Polyanhydroglucuronic Acid,Rayophane,Sulfite Cellulose,alpha-Cellulose,Acid, Polyanhydroglucuronic,alpha Cellulose
D006003	Glycogen
D006595	Hexosamines	AMINO SUGARS created by adding an amine group to a hexose sugar.	Hexosamine