The fine structure of psychrophilic and mesophilic Rhodotorula rubra

Transmission electron microscopy of thin sections of two mesophilic and a psychrophilic Rhodotorula rubra revealed structures normally associated with yeast. The capsule of all three strains was thicker in the cells grown in glucose than those grown in glucose-free media. The cell wall of all three strains showed more lamellae in the cells grown in a medium containing glycerol. Budding was of the Rhodoturula type. Endoplasmic reticula running parallel to the nucleus were commonly observed in the psychrophiles but not in the mesophiles. In the psychrophile, in association with the plasmalemma, lomasomes and plasmalemmasomes were observed. Giant mitochondria were commonly seen in the cells grown in a fermentable carbohydrate-free medium. Vacuoles were mostly empty.