Index >> Bacterial Structure >> Storage Granules

Storage Granules- In many bacteria the cytoplasm contains large granules of storage materials.

These storage polymers have a high molecular weight, and are therefore osmotically inert.

They, can be stored without increasing the osmolarity of the cytoplasm.

Storage polymers often occur in the form of granules within the cytoplasm, and may be surrounded by a membrane.

They serve as stores of energy or organic compounds in the form of readily metabolizable substrates.

Three different types of storage granules are found in the cytoplasm, polymetaphosphate granules, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate granules and polyglucan granules.