ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Synapses
;
Complex
;
Nuclei vestibulares
;
Lampetra planeri
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The vestibular fibres of ammocoetes of Lampetra planeri form a peculiar type of synaptic contact with the large nerve cells of the vestibular nuclei. In fact, a large expansion of the fibre is enveloped by the nerve cell cytoplasm, which makes a sort of spoon or actual channel by sealing its own plasma membrane with adhesion plaques around the fibre. In the whole area of juxtapposition between the fibre and the cell membranes, three different types of specialized contacts occur: desmosomoid junctions, which are the most numerous; zones having the characteristics of chemically active synapses on account of the presence of vesicles clustered on the presynaptic side; gap-junctions, where electrical transmission might occur. A puzzling feature is the presence of an enormous number of presynaptic vesicles located in the central part of the axoplasm of the fibre expansion.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00335299
