Anabaena variabilis and Chlorogloea fritschii can easily form L-like colonies that are characterized by their appearance and the morphology of component structures. The colonies consist of morphological elements typical of the L-variants of chemoheterotrophic bacteria: filaments, "grains", ring-shaped cells, etc. Data are presented pertinent to the functional activity of the photosynthetic apparatus of these organisms subjected to L-transformation.

Three periods (the lag period and periods of intensive and decelerated spheroplast formation) can be detected in the action of lysozyme on the cells of Anacystis nidulans; this seems to be due to peculiarities in the cell wall structure of the cyanobacterium and heterogeneity of the culture. EDTA at concentrations of 0.175--0.7 mM has effect on the duration of the lag period but increases the rate of spheroplast formation during the subsequent periods. However, the action of EDTA in complex with lysozyme for 3 hours causes lysis of some of the spheroplasts being formed. The concentration of mannitol below 0.4 M decreases the yield of spheroplasts. The level of intact spheroplasts prepared from A. nidulans suggests that at least part of them is capable of reversing into whole cells.