ISSN:
1615-6102
Keywords:
Anhydrobiotic organism
;
Cell structure
;
Cryptobiotic organism
;
Structural integrity
;
Tardigrada
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Anhydrobiotic and active hydrated specimens of the tardigradeMacrobiotus hufelandi were investigated by electron microscopy, and the cellular fine structure of both stages was compared. Besides conventional preparation methods, totally anhydrous techniques were used to avoid hydration artefacts in the anhydrobiotic specimens. In the latter the cytoplasm was very electron dense and masked many cell constituents, however, membraneous structures, nuclei, mitochondria, microtubules, and myofilaments could be resolved in the micrographs. After substraction of all peculiarities caused by the preparation methods within the micrographs of cells from anhydrobiotic specimens, the comparison revealed that the basic morphology of the cells and their organelles is not changed in the anhydrobiotic specimens. Maintenance of the structural integrity of its cells is a basic ability of this organism to survive desiccation.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01274066
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