KINETICS OF VOLUME VARIATION OF CORYNEBACTERIUM-GLUTAMICUM FOLLOWING SALINE OSMOTIC UPSHIFTS

The variation over time of the volume of Corynebacterium glutamicum fo llowing osmotic upshocks produced by the addition of increasing NaCl q uantities was measured by a lightscattering method. During the first s econds the cell volume rapidly decreased. The extent of volume reducti on varied between 30% at 1.5 osmol/kg and 65% at 3.3 osmo/kg. In a sec ond phase the cell volume increased again over a time period lasting 1 0 minutes or more depending on the magnitude of the saline upshock.