The autodegradation capacity of ribosomes, in the presence or absence of EDTA, has been studied in resting and dividing bacteria. This capacity, in the presence of EDTA, was found to be much lower in the ribosomes of log-phase bacteria when compared to stationary phase bacteria. In absence of EDTA, autodegradation was not observed. However, ribosomal profiles, as determined on sucrose gradients after incubation at 37 °C, showed that the polysomes have been transformed into monomers indicating that the absence of autodegradation was only apparent.