The cells of 19 species of bacteria, actinomyces, and yeasts were analyzed for protein and essential amino acids. A rapid quantitative method for amino acid determination using one-dimensional paper chromatography was developed. The cellular protein from all species contained relatively high concentrations of lysine, somewhat lower concentrations of tryptophan and threonine, and very low concentrations of methionine. All of the 10 essential amino acids were found in each species tested, although individual differences in the relative and absolute amounts were observed.