False-colour transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, showing a single bacterium (lower centre, actually in process of division) & the remains of a 2nd (top) after having undergone lysis (bursting) due to effects of antibiotics. Lysis occurs through the destruction of the outer plasma membrane & the subsequent release of intracellular contents into the surrounding medium. S. aureus (a species of spherical, non-motile, Gram-positive bacteria) is responsible for pus containing infections such as boils and abscesses. S. aureus also secretes an exotoxin causing a type of acute gastro-enteritis. Mag: X 17,500 at 35mm size, X 35,000 at 6x7 size.