Bacterial lysis of cytoplasm of Cosmarium,a green alga

Summary The protoplast of the green alga Cosmarium is lysed by a coccoid bacterium, whereas the cell wall remains intact. Pyrenoids are more resistant to lytic action than the rest of the chloroplast. Different stages of the lysis are described.We thank the Heads of the Botany and Soils Departments for providing laboratory facilities. Thanks are also due to Dr V. R. P. Garg for help in photography.