Snider, Philip2022-07-292022-07-29196723164624https://hdl.handle.net/10657/10684This thesis is an account of various factors which influence the observed variability of a cholesterol utilizing Streptomyces species. Preliminary studies were carried out to determine the feasibility of using mycelial fragments of the test organism as plating units and as inoculum. Two mutants were isolated using nitrosoquanidine as mutagenic agents. Genetic recombination between the two auxotrophs was demonstrated and confirmed. Further, it was shown that genetic recombination could be a factor in the variability of the test organism Streptomyces I4 pH8 #2 (w). Storage of spores and their subsequent use as inoculum or as plating units was shown to play a role in variability. Loss of the ability to utilize cholesterol on storage makes it advisable to use careful check procedures to assure the presence of this or any particular physiological trait. Growth on other carbon sources than cholesterol was demonstrated to affect the subsequent ability of the organism to utilize cholesterol.application/pdfenThis item is protected by copyright but is made available here under a claim of fair use (17 U.S.C. Section 107) for non-profit research and educational purposes. Users of this work assume the responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing, or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires express permission of the copyright holder.Thesisreformatted digital