A Protozoan Model for Golgi-Associated Calcification
Many studies have shown that the Golgi apparatus is involved in a variety of synthetic activities, and probably no Golgi product is more elaborate than the scales produced by various kinds of phytoflagellates. The formation of calcified scales (coccoliths, Fig. 1,2) of the coccolithophorid phytoflagellates provides a particularly interesting model system for the study of biological mineralization, and the sequential formation of Golgi products.The coccoliths of Hymenomonas carterae consist of a scale-like base (Fig. 2 and 4, b) with a highly structured calcified (CaCO3) rim composed of two distinct elements which alternate about the base periphery (Fig. 1 and 3, A, B). Each element is enveloped by a sheath-like organic matrix (Fig. 3; Fig. 4, m).