Polarization microscopy, possibly together with some contrast techniques (dark field and color phase contrast), was used to study the periphyton (microbiome) growing on filamentous green algae. The material containing filamentous algae with periphyton on the surface was collected in the villages of Sýkořice and Zbečno (Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area). The objects were studied in a LOMO MIN-8 St. Petersburg polarizing microscope and a Carl Zeiss Jena NfpK laboratory microscope equipped with an In Ph 160 basic body with variable dark field or color phase contrast and a Nikon D70 DSLR digital camera. Cells of filamentous algae of the genera Cladophora, Vaucheria, and Oedogonium were studied and the periphyton attached to them formed by cyanobacteria of the genera Chamaesiphon and Pleurocapsa and algae of the genera Characium, including diatoms of the genera Eunotia and Synedra. In all cases, the cell walls of the host algae showed a very strong birefringence. In contrast, the walls of cyanobacteria of the genera Chamaesiphon and Pleurocapsa were characterized by a much weaker birefringence (Pleurocapsa somewhat thicker), and the diatom frustules of the genera Eunotia and Synedra were almost without a birefringence. Strongly birefringent granules were found in the cytoplasm of the green alga of the genus Characium, which forms periphyton on the filamentous green algae of the genus Vaucheria. The periphyton on the filamentous alga of the genus Oedogonium, formed by cyanobacteria of the genus Pleurocapsa and diatoms of the genera Eunotia and Synedra, deposited in a massive layer of mucus containing birefringent crystals, showed a particularly strong birefringence. At the end of the vegetation of filamentous algae, their parts and remnants of periphyton (diatom frustules and crystals) became part of the detritus at the bottom of the culture vessel. The use of polarization microscopy in the study of filamentous algae with periphyton on the surface allows us not only to determine the birefringence of the observed structures, but also to partially deduce their chemical composition, or regular arrangement of particles, so-called shape birefringence.
This work describes autofluorescence of the mycelium of the dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans grown on spruce wood blocks impregnated with various metals. Live mycelium, as opposed to dead mycelium, exhibited yellow autofluorescence upon blue excitation, blue fluorescence with ultraviolet (UV) excitation, orange-red and light-blue fluorescence with violet excitation, and red fluorescence with green excitation. Distinctive autofluorescence was observed in the fungal cell wall and in granula localized in the cytoplasm. In dead mycelium, the intensity of autofluorescence decreased and the signal was diffused throughout the cytoplasm. Metal treatment affected both the color and intensity of autofluorescence and also the morphology of the mycelium. The strongest yellow signal was observed with blue excitation in Cd-treated samples, in conjunction with increased branching and the formation of mycelial loops and protrusions. For the first time, we describe pink autofluorescence that was observed in Mn-, Zn-, and Cu-treated samples with UV, violet or. blue excitation. The lowest signals were obtained in Cu- and Fe-treated samples. Chitin, an important part of the fungal cell wall exhibited intensive primary fluorescence with UV, violet, blue, and green excitation.
- MeSH
- Basidiomycota chemie růst a vývoj metabolismus účinky záření MeSH
- buněčná stěna chemie metabolismus účinky záření MeSH
- dřevo mikrobiologie MeSH
- fluorescence MeSH
- kovy metabolismus MeSH
- mycelium chemie růst a vývoj metabolismus účinky záření MeSH
- smrk mikrobiologie MeSH
- ultrafialové záření MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Polarization and positive phase contrast microscope were concomitantly used in the study of the internal structure of microbial cells. Positive phase contrast allowed us to view even the fine cell structure with a refractive index approaching that of the surrounding environment, e.g., the cytoplasm, and transferred the invisible phase image to a visible amplitude image. With polarization microscopy, crossed polarizing filters together with compensators and a rotary stage showed the birefringence of different cell structures. Material containing algae was collected in ponds in Sýkořice and Zbečno villages (Křivoklát region). The objects were studied in laboratory microscopes LOMO MIN-8 Sankt Petersburg and Polmi A Carl Zeiss Jena fitted with special optics for positive phase contrast, polarizers, analyzers, compensators, rotary stages, and digital SLR camera Nikon D 70 for image capture. Anisotropic granules were found in the cells of flagellates of the order Euglenales, in green algae of the orders Chlorococcales and Chlorellales, and in desmid algae of the order Desmidiales. The cell walls of filamentous algae of the orders Zygnematales and Ulotrichales were found to exhibit significant birefringence; in addition, relatively small amounts of small granules were found in the cytoplasm. A typical shape-related birefringence of the cylindrical walls and the septa between the cells differed in intensity, which was especially apparent when using a Zeiss compensator RI-c during its successive double setting. In conclusion, the anisotropic granules found in the investigated algae mostly showed strong birefringence and varied in number, size, and location of the cells. Representatives of the order Chlorococcales contained the highest number of granules per cell, and the size of these granules was almost double than that of the other monitored microorganisms. Very strong birefringence was exhibited by cell walls of filamentous algae; it differed in the intensity between the cylindrical peripheral wall and the partitions between the cells. Positive phase contrast enabled us to study the morphological relationship of various fine structures in the cell (poorly visible in conventional microscope) to anisotropic structures that have been well defined by polarization microscopy.
Polarization microscopy has been used to study the internal structures of microbial cells and in terms of the birefringence of these structures and its possible relation to the cell function and composition. Cyanobacteria of the genus Phormidium were found to contain no anisotropic structures, while other microorganisms were found to contain them, albeit to a different extent, size, and number. The flagellate Euglena was found to contain two large anisotropic bodies, whereas the flagellate of the genus Phacus belonging to the same systematic group Euglenales was observed to contain only one large anisotropic body (storage substances--paramylon). On the other hand, green algae of the genus Scenedesmus, whose cells form four--celled coenobia, contained clusters of small anisotropic granules composed also of storage substances (volutin). Minute anisotropic granules (storage substances) in two smaller clusters were found also in diatoms of the genus Navicula, whereas the green alga of the genus Mougeotia was revealed to contain, in addition to minute anisotropic granules (storage substances) occurring in low numbers in the cytoplasm, also a strongly birefringent cell wall (shape birefringence). Cells of the amoeba of the genus Naegleria and heliozoans of the genus Heterophrys were observed to contain only isolated tiny anisotropic granules (storage substances).
Autofluorescence (primary fluorescence (AF)) of fruiting bodies and stems of the fungus Morchella conica var. rigida was studied by fluorescence microscopy including sporangia and ascospores. The ascospores were characterized by a weak green-yellow AF at blue excitation. Using a green excitation, no AF was observed. The hyphae located under the layer of asci with ascospores exhibited a higher primary fluorescence, namely their walls that had green-yellow color at blue excitation. Also, their red AF observed when a green excitation was used was significant. Similarly, the hyphae located in the fungal stem exhibited a significant AF, especially their walls when the blue light was used for excitation. In addition, large, yellow-to-yellow/green, oval-to-round bodies with strong fluorescence were detected whose morphological equivalents were not clearly visible in the white halogen light. The AF of the fungus M. conica var. rigida was lower compared with the other higher fungi studied so far.
A new method providing a relief phase contrast for investigation of microorganisms by optical microscopy used a neutral filter Zeiss NG 10/1 that could be controllably slid at a certain azimuthal angle below the aperture condenser diaphragm of the microscope phase contrast. Two ways of application are described depending on the type of the microscope: (1) in a special holder, and (2) fixed on a rubber ring. The device enabled us to obtain excellent results in the area of both optical microscopy and microphotography. With the microorganisms visualized, a better resolution, higher contrast and a significant 3D effect were obtained; outer morphology and organelles (chloroplasts, nuclei, granules, oil reserve vacuoles, etc.) could also be investigated.
The autofluorescence (primary fluorescence, AF) of agar cultures of the brown-rot fungus Piptoporus betulinus was investigated in Zeiss Jenalumar and Nikon Eclipse 8201 fluorescence microscopes at various excitations. The strongest AF of hyphae was found in minimal medium with glucose, where the hyphae exhibited green AF at violet (450 nm) excitation and red AF at green (570 nm) excitation. Addition of metals to cultivation media led to enhanced white-blue AF in the presence of Co (at 450 nm) and yellow to yellow-brown AF at 510 nm. When cultivated with Mn and Zn, enhanced AF of intracellular content was observed. Only a weak signal was found in the presence of Cu and Fe.
A new type of relief condenser mounted on a current laboratory microscope produced by Lambda Praha was used for the study of microorganisms of two kingdoms, Chromista and Plantae. The pictures obtained by the use of this device had a better resolving power and remarkable contrast, and a well visible 3D effect. Because of the absence of an aperture diaphragm the use was much simpler, compared to relief condensers whose construction was different.
The autofluorescence (primary fluorescence, AF) of the freshly collected fruiting bodies of the fungus Macrolepiota rhacodes was studied in a Zeiss Jenalumar fluorescence microscope at a blue and a green excitation. The strongest yellow AF at blue excitation was displayed by irregular granules on the surface of the fungal pileus. A weaker yellow-green AF was exhibited by spherical cells and hyphae in the central part of the pileus while basidiospores emitted somewhat stronger AF. At green excitation, a considerable red AF was emitted only by basidiospores, other parts of the pileus showing a very weak red AF. M. rhacodes AF is much weaker than the AF of wood-rotting fungi, such as Fomes fomentarius, Daedalea quercina, Piptoporus betulinus, Fomitopsis pinicola and others.
