TY - JOUR
T1 - Cnidocil apparatus
T2 - sensory receptor of Physalia nematocytes
AU - Cormier, Susan M.
AU - Hessinger, David A.
N1 - Funding Information:
We thank Tom Brakoniecki of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Key Biscayne, Florida, for his kind and generous help in collecting specimens. We also thank Dr. Peter Luykx for the use of facilities in the Laboratory for Quantitative Biology at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, Dr. R. F. Nunnemacher of Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, for insightful suggestions, and Betty Lorraam of the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, and Mr. G. Merton Chris-tianson for technical assistance. This research was supported by a grant from NIEHS (ESO 1454-03) to D. A. Hessinger.
PY - 1980
Y1 - 1980
N2 - The cnidocil apparatus, a cluster of subcellular structures at the external surface of the nematocytes of Physalia physalis, was examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The cnidocil apparatus consists of a modified cilium or cnidocil surrounded by 15 to 21 stereocilia. The stereocilia contain closely packed, longitudinally arranged microfilaments. The cnidocil contains numerous singlet and doublet microtubules that lack the classical 9 + 2 microtubule pattern characteristic of most cilia and flagella. The basal body of the cnidocil does, however, maintain the usual circle of nine triplets of microtubules. It is proposed that the cnidocil of the nematocyte is truly the sensory receptor for mechanical and chemical stimuli that elicit nematocyst discharge.
AB - The cnidocil apparatus, a cluster of subcellular structures at the external surface of the nematocytes of Physalia physalis, was examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The cnidocil apparatus consists of a modified cilium or cnidocil surrounded by 15 to 21 stereocilia. The stereocilia contain closely packed, longitudinally arranged microfilaments. The cnidocil contains numerous singlet and doublet microtubules that lack the classical 9 + 2 microtubule pattern characteristic of most cilia and flagella. The basal body of the cnidocil does, however, maintain the usual circle of nine triplets of microtubules. It is proposed that the cnidocil of the nematocyte is truly the sensory receptor for mechanical and chemical stimuli that elicit nematocyst discharge.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0022-5320(80)90130-6
DO - 10.1016/S0022-5320(80)90130-6
M3 - Article
C2 - 6106068
SN - 0022-5320
VL - 72
SP - 13
EP - 19
JO - Journal of Ultrastructure Research
JF - Journal of Ultrastructure Research
IS - 1
ER -