MINUTE STRUCTURE OF THE BACTERIAL CELL 65 



Some bacteria form within their protoplasm complex chem- 

 ical substances known as toxins, endotoxins, ptomains, and 

 enzymes. The chemistry of these compounds is known only to 

 a limited extent. They will be considered more in detail in 

 subsequent chapters. 



Chemical Structure of Spores and Flagella. Spores are 

 composed of condensed protoplasm. They contain the same 

 chemical substances as the bacterial cell from which they were 

 formed, with the exception that the content of water is lowered 

 much below that of the original cell. Spores are composed 

 of 60 per cent dried substance (Drymont). The water which 

 is present is held in a way to resist drying temperatures be- 

 low 100 C. The spore wall is chitinous in structure rather 

 than " cellulose-like," and contains in addition some very 

 hygroscopic extractive matter (Wells). 



Flagella are composed of condensed protein. Aside from 

 this, as far as is known, their chemical constituents are not 

 unlike those in the vegetative form. 



