PROBLEMS IN THERMOPHILY - 1. Are Thermophiles Derived from Mesophilic Forms?

Abstract

Studies with a number of isolates of facultative thermophiles tentatively identified as strains of B. subtilis tend to confirm the belief that thermophilic bacteria are mutants of the common mesophilic forms.The high frequency of occurrence of thermophilic forms from mesophilic populations and the changes in the nature of the colonies at different temperatures of incubation seem to show that heat may have a mutagenic action. A probable explanation for the growth of these mesophilic strains at elevated temperatures is also given.