Abstract
A small patch of cells in the epithelium of the anterior surface of the collar of the serpulidPomatoceros caeruleus contains membrane-bound vacuoles filled with crystalline material. The crystals have rhomboidal or rectangular profiles and have been shown by electron diffraction analysis to be composed of hydroxyapatite and calcium magnesium phosphate. The apices of the cells are bordered by microvilli. Some cells also have apical cilia. The cells contain Golgi complexes in the apical cytoplasm. Large numbers of mitochondria are distributed thoughout the cytoplasm.
The possible function of these mineral-containing cells as sites for storage of calcium and/or phosphorus is discussed.
Résumé
Un petit groupe de cellules épithéliales de la surface antérieure du col du serpulidePomatoceros caeruleus contient des vacuoles, remplies de matériel cristallin. Les cristaux présenttent des aspects rhomboédriques ou rectangulaires. La diffraction électronique montre qu'ils sont constitués par de l'hydroxyleapatite et du phosphate de calcium et de magnésium. Les apex des cellules sont bordés de microvillosités. Certaines cellules ont des cils apicaux. Un appareil de Golgi est visible dans le cytoplasme apical. De nombreuses mitochondries sont dissé minées dans le cytoplasme. Le role éventuel de ces cellules, a contenu minéral, dans la mise en réserve de calcium et/ou de phosphore est envisagé.
Zusammenfassung
Ein kleiner Zellverband im Epithel der vorderen Oberfläche am Hals des SerpulidsPomatoceros caeruleus enthält membrangebundene Vakuolen, welche mit kristallinem Material gefüllt sind. Die Kristalle haben rhomboide oder rechteckige Formen; mittels Elektronendiffraktion konnte nachgewiesen werden, daß sie aus Hydroxyapatit und Calciummagnesiumphosphat bestehen. Die oberen Enden der Zellen sind von Microvilli eingefaßt. Einige der Zellen haben zudem apikale Zilien. Die Zellen enthalten Golgi-Apparate im apikalen Cytoplasma. Eine große Anzahl von Mitochondrien sind über das, ganze Cytoplasma verteilt.
Die mögliche Funktion dieser mineralhaltigen Zellen als Aufbewahrungsorte für Calcium und/oder Phosphor wird besprochen.
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Neff, J.M. Ultrastructure of calcium phosphate-containing cells in the serpulid polychaete wormPomatoceros caeruleus . Calc. Tis Res. 7, 191–200 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02062606
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02062606