Electron microscopic studies on developing cartilage
The present communication describes the changing developmental pattern of the cellular organelles concerned with the synthesis and transfer of the extracellular materials during the process of chondrogenesis in chick limb-buds. Cartilage consists of a large amount of extracellular phase interspersed with chondrocytes. Chemically it is well established (Eastoe, 1961) that the main constituents of the extracellular phase are collagen and protein-polysaccharides. The latter are made up of a non-collagenous protein and acid mucopolysaccharides. The acid mucopolysaccharides are chondroitin sulphate A and C (Godman & Porter, 1960; Jackson, 1964). In electron micrographs, the extracellular phase is seen as an amorphous electron-translucent ground substance interlaced by fibrous material overlaid with electron-dense granules. The chemical interpretation of this ultrastructure is still dubious (Matukas, Panner & Orbison, 1967). It is usually considered that the amorphous ground substance consists of the acid mucopolysaccharides, the noncollagenous proteins and tropocollagen, which is a soluble form of collagen (Godman & Porter, 1960).