Use of a computer-aided reconstruction system to examine the three-dimensional architecture of cyanobacteria

A computer-aided reconstruction system was evaluated in regard to its usefulness for illustrating the three-dimensional ultrastructure of cyanobacterial (blue-green algal) cells. The system readily depicted the intracellular locations of specialized inclusion bodies. The photosynthetic thylakoid membrane system was more difficult to depict because of its intricate substructure, yet could be illustrated effectively by using procedures designed to minimize multiple overlapping of thylakoid components. By eliminating unwanted or unimportant cell structures, by examining selected portions of cells, and by rotating images to obtain maximum clarity, it was possible to produce reconstructions that effectively showed the overall three-dimensional arrangement of ultrastructural features within the cell.