ABSTRACT
Streptomyces are typical aerobic soil bacteria. Although their micromorphology shows some similarities to certain microscopic fungi which form branching hyphae that develop into mycelium, they are true bacteria that have nucleoids instead of a real nucleus and cell walls containing peptidoglycan, characteristic of bacteria. Streptomyces are highly differentiated bacteria, with morphologically well-distinguished stages of development. They form vegetative and reproductive hyphae in submerged cultures, or vegetative, and aerial hyphae on solid media, completing the life cycle in both cases with spores (see Figs. 2-5). In the soil they have the important function of degrading plant and animal waste.
