UNIQUE MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF AN ACID-STABLE CELL ENVELOPE

Cell ghosts of S. acidocaldarius made by gentle disruption (first micrograph below) show the two layers that make up the cell envelope. The cell membrane (middle panel) provides the chemical permeability barrier necessary for cellular function. The porous glycoprotein layer (lower panel) is normally anchored to the external face of the membrane and appears to function as a cell wall [see publication 2].  [overview of research]

  Cell Ghost

Membrane fragments (above) / Glycoprotein cell wall (below)