Further studies on the ultrastructure of Nicotiana tabacum leaves infected with an Egyptian strain of tobacco mosaic virus

ABSTRACT

Electron microscopic studies of mesophyll cells of Nicotiana tabacum leaf systemically infected with-an Egyptian strain of tobacco virus revealed several ultrastructural changes. Chloroplasts were spherical in shape; grana, intergrana lamellae [thylakoid] and chloroplast envelope were broken and peripheral reticulum appeared. Virus infection induced an increase in the number of osmiophilic globules, mitochondria and microbodies. Cristae of mitochondria were lost and mitochondrial envelope was disintegrated. There was an increase in crytal-containing microbodies. Virus particles occured in cytoplasm which also showed vacuolation