ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Microtubules
;
Movement
;
Selenidium
;
Pellicle
;
Light and electron microscopy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The archigregarine, Selenidium, is parasitic in the digestive tracts of some polychaete worms. The trophozoites of Selenidium are worm-like in appearance, and are attached by one end to the intestinal epithelium of the host, while the remainder of the organism performs rhythmic bending movements, reminiscent of nematode worms. The trophozoites have a multilayered, longitudinally folded pellicle, and beneath this are longitudinally oriented microtubules, arranged in precise fashions. The arrangements of both the pellicle, and the microtubules change during the bending movements. Furthermore, if trophozoites are treated with the drug colchicine, the sub-pellicular microtubules are destroyed, the patterns of pellicular folding are altered, and the trophozoites cease to move. The contribution of the pellicle and the microtubules to the characteristic movements of the trophozoites is evaluated and discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00224261
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