scholarly journals Observations on the Fine Structure of the Turtle Atrium

1958 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don W. Fawcett ◽  
Cecily C. Selby
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Myoneural Junction ◽  
Amorphous Component ◽  
Intercalated Discs ◽  
Particulate Form ◽  
Transitional Forms ◽  
Basic Similarity ◽  
Turtle Heart

The general fine structure of the atrial musculature of the turtle heart is described, including; the nature of the sarcolemma; the cross-banded structure of the myofibrils; the character of the sarcoplasm, and the form and disposition of its organelles. An abundant granular component of the sarcoplasm in this species is tentatively identified as a particulate form of glycogen. The myocardium is composed of individual cells joined end to end at primitive intercalated discs, and side to side at sites of cohesion that resemble the desmosomes of epithelia. Transitional forms are found between desmosomes and intercalated discs. Both consist of a thickened area of the cell membrane with an accumulation of dense material in the subjacent cytoplasm. This dense amorphous component is often continuous with the Z substance of the myofibrils and may be of the same composition. The observations reported reemphasize the basic similarity between desmosomes and terminal bars of epithelia and intercalated discs of cardiac muscle. Numerous unmyelinated nerves are found beneath the endocardium. Some of these occupy recesses in the surface of Schwann cells; others are naked axons. No specialized nerve endings are found. Axons passing near the sarcolemma contain synaptic vesicles, and it is believed that this degree of proximity is sufficient to constitute a functioning myoneural junction.

Fine structure of the rectal papillae of the oriental fruuit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel (Tephritidae, Diptera Insecta)

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 498-499
Author(s):  
Len Wen-Yung ◽  
Mei-Jung Lin
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Intercellular Space ◽  
Anterior Part ◽  
Apical Cell ◽  
Posterior Part ◽  
Apical Cell Membrane ◽  
Dacus Dorsalis ◽  
Radial Cell ◽  
Circular Base

Four cone-shaped rectal papillae locate at the anterior part of the rectum in Dacus dorsalis fly. The circular base of the papilla protrudes into the haemolymph (Fig. 1,2) and the rest cone-shaped tip (Fig. 2) inserts in the rectal lumen. The base is surrounded with the cuticle (Fig. 5). The internal structure of the rectal papilla (Fig. 3) comprises of the cortex with the columnar epithelial cells and a rod-shaped medulla. Between them, there is the infundibular space and many trabeculae connect each other. Several tracheae insert into the papilla through the top of the medulla, then run into the cortical epithelium and locate in the intercellular space. The intercellular sinuses distribute in the posterior part of the rectal papilla.The cortex of the base divides into about thirty segments. Between segments there is a radial cell (Fig. 4). Under the cuticle, the apical cell membrane of the cortical epithelium is folded into a regular border of leaflets (Fig. 5).

An Electron Microscope study of a Small Free-living Amoeba (Hartmanella astronyxis)

1959 ◽  
Vol s3-100 (49) ◽  
pp. 13-15
Author(s):  
K. DEUTSCH ◽  
M. M. SWANN
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Nuclear Membrane ◽  
Layered Structure ◽  
Microscope Study ◽  
Electron Microscope Study ◽  
Honeycomb Structure ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Free Living Amoeba

The fine structure of a species of small free-living amoeba, Hartmanella astronyxis, has been investigated. The mitochondria resemble those of other species of amoeba. Structureless bodies of about the same size as mitochondria are sometimes found in association with them. Double membranes are common in the cytoplasm, and may show granules along their outer borders. The nuclear membrane is a double-layered structure, with a honeycomb structure evident in tangential sections. The cell membrane is also double-layered, or occasionally multi-layered.

scholarly journals THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF CARDIAC DESMOSOMES IN THE TOAD AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE INTERCALATED DISC

1960 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip M. Grimley ◽  
George A. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Fine Structure ◽  
Cardiac Cells ◽  
Dense Region ◽  
Intercalated Disc ◽  
Outer Coat ◽  
Intercalated Discs ◽  
Simple Step ◽  
Contractile Forces ◽  
Band Material

The fine structure of desmosomes and intercalated discs in the toad heart is discussed. A definite relationship between the dense components of these structures and the dense region of the Z band is demonstrated. The dense region of the Z band characteristically widens at its approach to the plasma membrane, and often terminates beneath it in a distinct discoidal plaque. Cardiac desmosomes appear to be structures which result from the intimate apposition of plaques of Z band material. These desmosomes retain the Z band function as sites of attachment for myofilaments. The suggestion is made that rotation of a desmosome through 90° and splitting of filaments from the adjacent sarcomere could result in the formation of a simple step-like intercalated disc. Intermediate stages in this process are illustrated. Complex discs present in the toad probably represent the alignment of groups of simple discs produced by contractile forces. Possible physiologic functions of the disc and desmosome are discussed. Other morphologic features of toad cardiac cells include a distinct amorphous outer coat to the sarcolemma, a prominent N band, and a granular sarcoplasm with poorly developed reticulum.

scholarly journals The Fine Structure of Synapses in the Ciliary Ganglion of the Chick

1960 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. de Lorenzo
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Synaptic Cleft ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Ciliary Ganglion ◽  
Single Axon ◽  
Electron Microscopes ◽  
Electron Microscope Image

Ciliary ganglia of chick embryos and newly hatched chicks were examined in the light and electron microscopes. Particular attention was given to the fine structure of calyciform synapses, which are characteristically found in ciliary ganglia of birds. The calyciform endings are characterized by large expansions of the presynaptic axons upon ganglion cells, and the terminal processes extend over a considerable area of the cell surface. Often, indeed they appear to envelop the cell. In the electron microscope image, the appositional membranes are separated by a space about 300 to 400 A wide; i.e., the synaptic cleft. At irregularly spaced regions, the appositional membranes show areas of increased density. The presynaptic processes contain clusters of synaptic vesicles, localized at these dense regions. Thus the fine structure complex typical of other synapses is evident. The unique structural features of this synapse are as follows: (a) The calyx or presynaptic terminal derives from a single axon, does not arborize, and terminates upon a single ganglion cell. Thus, unlike the classical bouton terminal, this represents an anatomical device for firing single cells by single axons. (b) The surface area in contiguity, i.e., the area of appositional membranes, is far more extensive than the bouton terminal. The fine structure of this synapse is compared with others, for example, the classical boutons terminaux and purely electrical synapses, in an attempt to correlate fine structure with function.

Phasic efflux of potassium from frog ventricle

1962 ◽  
Vol 203 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Lorber ◽  
John L. Walker ◽  
Ernest A. Greene ◽  
Margaret H. Minarik ◽  
Moon Jae Pak
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Cardiac Cycle ◽  
Pronounced Effect ◽  
Voltage Gradient ◽  
Perfusion Medium ◽  
Actual Increase ◽  
Frog Ventricle ◽  
Turtle Heart ◽  
Do So

A phasic effiux of K42 during the cardiac cycle, first described by Wilde in the turtle heart, has been observed in perfused strips of frog ventricle. This was shown to represent an actual increase in the outward movement of K, occurring during the action potential, and of approximately the same duration as the electrical transient. Perfusion with K-free Ringer's prolonged both events, and, within the limits of resolution of the method, appeared to do so to about the same extent. The level of K in the perfusion medium was found to have a pronounced effect on the K efflux, a result which may be interpreted in terms of an effect of extracellular [K+] on the permeability of the cell membrane to K. The finding that the increase in K efflux observed during the action potential is much smaller than that predicted from the increase in the voltage gradient (assuming the voltage gradient to be the only variable) is consistent with a diminished K conductance during the action potential.

The fine structure of the vertical lobe of Octopus brain

1970 ◽  
Vol 258 (827) ◽  
pp. 379-394 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Fine Structure ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Structural Organization ◽  
Amacrine Cells ◽  
Large Cell ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Tactile System

Although much is known about the structural organization and connexions of the various lobes of the octopus brain from light microscopy, this is the first attempt at a detailed analysis of one of the lobes— the vertical lobe, with the electron microscope. The vertical lobe consists of five lobules. The median superior frontal (MSF) axons enter each lobule from the MSF lobe. The MSF axons contain both microtubules and neurofilaments. The varicosities of the MSF axons contain both agranular and dense-cored vesicles and synapse with trunks of the amacrine cells. These trunks run together in bundles termed amacrine tracts into the centres of the lobules. The amacrine trunks contain microtubules but no neurofilaments. The trunks contain large and small agranular synaptic vesicles and synapse with what are in all probability branches of the trunks of the large cells. These trunks contain microtubules but no neurofilaments. They run out through the bases of the lobules probably without forming synaptic contacts within the lobule. Fibres signalling ‘pain’ (nocifensor) enter the lobules from below. They can be recognized by their content of neurofilaments. Their terminals contain numerous very small synaptic vesicles and a few larger and dense-cored ones. These ‘pain’ fibres appear to synapse mostly with processes of the large cells. J. Z. Young has shown that the vertical lobe is especially concerned with the integrative action of the visual system, linked with the chemo-tactile system. Electron microscopy supports Young’s suggestion that the superior frontal and interconnected vertical lobe systems constitute a loop which could sustain a positive feed-back mechanism (MSF —> amacrine -> large cell -> lateral superior frontal -> MSF) while the ‘pain’ (nocifensor) input could exert a suppressor (inhibitory) effect on the loop by its action on the large cells.

Fine Structure of Developing and Adult Intercalated Discs in Rat Heart

1969 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Melax ◽  
T. S. Leeson
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Rat Heart ◽  
Intercalated Discs

scholarly journals FINE STRUCTURE OF SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS GROWN IN TISSUE CULTURE

1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon R. Campbell ◽  
Yasuo Uehara ◽  
Gerda Mark ◽  
Geoffrey Burnstock
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Fine Structure ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Membrane Infoldings

The fine structure of smooth muscle cells of the embryo chicken gizzard cultured in monolayer was studied by phase-contrast optics and electron microscopy. The smooth muscle cells were irregular in shape, but tended to be elongate. The nucleus usually contained prominent nucleoli and was large in relation to the cell body. When fixed with glutaraldehyde, three different types of filaments were noted in the cytoplasm: thick (150–250 A in diameter) and thin (30–80 A in diameter) myofilaments, many of which were arranged in small bundles throughout the cytoplasm and which were usually associated with dark bodies; and filaments with a diameter of 80–110 A which were randomly orientated and are not regarded as myofilaments. Some of the aggregated ribosomes were helically arranged. Mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum were prominent. In contrast to in vivo muscle cells, micropinocytotic vesicles along the cell membrane were rare and dense areas were usually confined to cell membrane infoldings. These cells are compared to in vivo embryonic smooth muscle and adult muscle after treatment with estrogen. Monolayers of cultured smooth muscle will be of particular value in relating ultrastructural features to functional observations on the same cells.

scholarly journals Effects of Hypertonic Stress on The Fine Structure of Sickled Erythrocytes

Blood ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMES G. WHITE
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Characteristic Feature ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Hypertonic Stress ◽  
Erythrocyte Sickling ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The tendency of polymers of sickled hemoglobin (HbS) to align parallel and equidistant to each other has been pointed out in many investigations, and is considered a characteristic feature of erythrocyte sickling. A previous study on stroma-free solutions of sickled hemoglobin, however, suggested that polymers of HbS preferentially assumed radial rather than parallel relationships. Sickled erythrocytes were exposed to hypertonic stress in the present study in order to observe whether parallel bundles of polymers remained intact after removal of the cell membrane. Bundles of polymers in salicylate damaged sickled cells regularly developed branching and radial configurations similar to those found in stroma-free gels. Rotational stress appears to be the dominant factor influencing the relationship of HbS polymers, and the force generated by that tension may be an important factor in erythrocyte sickling.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document