On the fine structure of the frog's rod outer segments, observed by the freeze-etching technique

1970 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
J�rgen Rosenkranz
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Rod Outer Segments ◽  
Etching Technique ◽  
Outer Segments ◽  
Freeze Etching

Fine Structure of Swarmers of Cladophora and Chaetomorpha

1971 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 581-601
Author(s):  
D. G. ROBINSON ◽  
R. D. PRESTON
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Fine Structure ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Cell Wall Synthesis ◽  
Fibrous Layer ◽  
Etching Technique ◽  
Freeze Etching

Naked swarmers of both Cladophora rupestris and Chaetomorpha melagonium have been examined by the freeze-etching technique. The swarmers of Cladophora, collected just after settling, reveal several layers of granules external to the plasmalemma and internal to the so-called ‘fibrous-layer’. Chaetomorpha swarmers collected just before settling show extrusion of vesicles through the plasmalemma. The structures associated with the membranes are discussed in relation to known features of these swarmers already observed by sectioning. The role of granules in the synthesis of cell wall microfibrils is strengthened though the spatial arrangement of the granules seen in this investigation does not completely fulfil the ‘ordered granule’ hypothesis. Description of, and comments on, features related to cell wall synthesis, particularly the Golgi and vacuolar systems, are given.

scholarly journals STUDIES ON THE ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM

1960 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith R. Porter ◽  
Eichi Yamada
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Fine Structure ◽  
Rod Outer Segments ◽  
Fibrous Layer ◽  
Light Stimulation ◽  
Myeloid Bodies ◽  
Outer Segments ◽  
Pigment Migration ◽  
Compact Lattice ◽  
Pigment Epithelial Cells

Pigment epithelial cells of the frog's retina have been examined by methods of electron microscopy with special attention focused on the fine structure of the endoplasmic reticulum and the myeloid bodies. These cells, as reported previously, send apical prolongations into the spaces between the rod outer segments, and within these extensions, pigment migrates in response to light stimulation. The cytoplasm of these cells is filled with a compact lattice of membrane-limited tubules, the surfaces of which are smooth or particle-free. In this respect, the endoplasmic reticulum here resembles that encountered in cells which produce lipid-rich secretions. The myeloid bodies comprise paired membranes arranged in stacks shaped like biconvex lenses. At their margins the membranes are continuous with elements of the ER and in consequence of this the myeloid body is referred to as a differentiation of the reticulum. The paired membranes resemble in their thickness and spacings those which make up the outer segments; they are therefore regarded as intracellular photoreceptors of possible significance in the activation of pigment migration and other physiologic functions of these cells. The fuscin granules are enclosed in membranes which are also continuous with those of the ER. The granules seem to move independently of the prolongations in which they are contained. The report also describes the fine structure of the terminal bar apparatus, the fibrous layer intervening between the epithelium and the choroid blood vessels, and comments on the functions of the organelles depicted.

Organization of frozen-etched Thelohania bracteata (Strickland, 1913) (Microsporida, Nosematidae) emphasizing the fine structure of the posterior vacuole

Parasitology ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. P. Liu ◽  
D. M. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Polar Filament ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Black Flies ◽  
Etching Technique ◽  
Double Membrane ◽  
Microsporidian Species ◽  
Freeze Etching

This study examines the ultrastructure of the posterior vacuole in frozen-etched spores of Thelohania bracteata (Nosematidae), a microsporidian infecting the fat body of larval black-flies (Simuliidae). This organelle, considered important in providing intrasporal pressure for sporoplasm extrusion through the polar filament, has a double membrane with particles on its internal faces as revealed by the freeze-etching technique. The size and pattern of these particles differ from those in membranes of the polar filament and nucleus, and this difference may have functional significance. The posterior vacuole, and also the polaroplast, may originate from expanded sacs that occur in the immature spore. There is evidence from this study that there are many basic ultrastructural similarities between spores of different microsporidian species and that at least some reported differences are the result of varying techniques.We gratefully acknowledge the freeze-etching facilities provided by the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, McMaster University. The research was supported by Grant A-130 from the National Research Council of Canada.

scholarly journals Electron Microscopy of Retinal Photoreceptors

1960 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnaldo Lasansky ◽  
Eduardo de Robertis
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Fine Structure ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Outer Segment ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
The Other ◽  
Rod Outer Segments ◽  
Outer Segments ◽  
Retinal Photoreceptors ◽  
L1 And L2

The fine structure of the cone and rod outer segments of the toad was studied under the electron microscope after fixation in osmium tetroxide and fixation in formaldehyde followed by chromation. In the OsO4-fixed specimens, the rod outer segment appears to be built of a stack of lobulated flattened sacs, each of which is made of two membranes of about 40 A separated by an innerspace of about 30 A. The distance between the rod sacs is about 50 A. The sacs in the cone outer segment are originated by the folding of a continuous membrane. The thickness of the membranes and width of the spaces between the cone sacs is the same as in rod, but the sac innerspace is slightly narrower in the cone (∼ 20 A). After fixation in formaldehyde and chromation, two different dense lines (l1 and l2) separated by spaces of less density appear. One of the lines, l1, has a thickness of 70 A and is less dense than the other, l2, which is 30 A thick. The correlation of the patterns obtained with both fixatives is considered and two possible interpretations are given. The possibility that l2 is related to a soluble phospholipid component is discussed. It is suggested that the outer segments have a paracrystallin organization similar to that found in myelin.

Structures Formed by Cryoprotective Agents Used in Freezc-Etching

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 448-449
Author(s):  
G. G. Cocks ◽  
C. E. Cluthe
Keyword(s):  
Aqueous Solution ◽  
Polyethylene Oxide ◽  
Liquid Nitrogen Temperature ◽  
Ice Crystals ◽  
Etching Technique ◽  
Structural Constituent ◽  
Cryoprotective Agents ◽  
Quick Freezing ◽  
Freeze Etching ◽  
Fractured Surface

The freeze etching technique is potentially useful for examining dilute solutions or suspensions of macromolecular materials. Quick freezing of aqueous solutions in Freon or propane at or near liquid nitrogen temperature produces relatively large ice crystals and these crystals may damage the structures to be examined. Cryoprotective agents may reduce damage to the specimem, hut their use often results in the formation of a different set of specimem artifacts.In a study of the structure of polyethylene oxide gels glycerol and sucrose were used as cryoprotective agents. The experiments reported here show some of the structures which can appear when these cryoprotective agents are used.Figure 1 shows a fractured surface of a frozen 25% aqueous solution of sucrose. The branches of dendritic ice crystals surrounded hy ice-sucrose eutectic can be seen. When this fractured surface is etched the ice in the dendrites sublimes giving the type of structure shown in Figure 2. The ice-sucrose eutectic etches much more slowly. It is the smooth continuous structural constituent surrounding the branches of the dendrites.

Freeze-Fracture Replication of Frozen Outer Segments of Rat Retinal Rods

1969 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 392-393
Author(s):  
Thomas S. Leeson ◽  
C. Roland Leeson
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Outer Segment ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Outer Segments ◽  
Retinal Rods ◽  
Temperature Electron ◽  
Freeze Etching

Numerous previous studies of outer segments of retinal receptors have demonstrated a complex internal structure of a series of transversely orientated membranous lamellae, discs, or saccules. In cones, these lamellae probably are invaginations of the covering plasma membrane. In rods, however, they appear to be isolated and separate discs although some authors report interconnections and some continuities with the surface near the base of the outer segment, i.e. toward the inner segment. In some species, variations have been reported, such as longitudinally orientated lamellae and lamellar whorls. In cross section, the discs or saccules show one or more incisures. The saccules probably contain photolabile pigment, with resulting potentials after dipole formation during bleaching of pigment. Continuity between the lamina of rod saccules and extracellular space may be necessary for the detection of dipoles, although such continuity usually is not found by electron microscopy. Particles on the membranes have been found by low angle X-ray diffraction, by low temperature electron microscopy and by freeze-etching techniques.

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