The digestive cells of the hepatopancreas in Aplysia depilans (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia): ultrastructural and cytochemical study. 2000

A Lobo-da-Cunha
Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and CIMAR, Oporto University, Portugal. alcunha@icbas.up.pt

Digestive cells are the most abundant cell type in the digestive diverticula of Aplysia depilans. These are tall columnar or club shaped cells, covered with microvilli on their apical surface. A large number of endocytic vesicles containing electron-dense substances can be found in the apical zone, but the presence of many heterolysosomes of large diameter is the main feature of these cells. Glycogen particles and some lipid droplets were also observed. Peroxisomes with a circular or oval profile were common, but crystalline nucleoids were not detected in them, although a dense spot in the matrix was observed in a few cases. These organelles were strongly stained after cytochemical detection of catalase activity. The Golgi stacks are formed by 4 or 5 cisternae, with dilated zones containing electron dense material. Arylsulphatase activity was detected in the Golgi stacks and also in lysosomes. Cells almost entirely occupied by a very large vacuole containing a residual dense mass seem to be digestive cells in advanced stages of maturation. The observation of semithin and ultrathin sections indicates that these very large vacuoles are the result of a fusion among the smaller lysosomes. Some images suggest that the content of these large vacuoles is extruded into the lumen of the digestive diverticula.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008247 Lysosomes A class of morphologically heterogeneous cytoplasmic particles in animal and plant tissues characterized by their content of hydrolytic enzymes and the structure-linked latency of these enzymes. The intracellular functions of lysosomes depend on their lytic potential. The single unit membrane of the lysosome acts as a barrier between the enzymes enclosed in the lysosome and the external substrate. The activity of the enzymes contained in lysosomes is limited or nil unless the vesicle in which they are enclosed is ruptured or undergoes MEMBRANE FUSION. (From Rieger et al., Glossary of Genetics: Classical and Molecular, 5th ed). Autolysosome,Autolysosomes,Lysosome
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D002374 Catalase An oxidoreductase that catalyzes the conversion of HYDROGEN PEROXIDE to water and oxygen. It is present in many animal cells. A deficiency of this enzyme results in ACATALASIA. Catalase A,Catalase T,Manganese Catalase,Mn Catalase
D004064 Digestive System A group of organs stretching from the MOUTH to the ANUS, serving to breakdown foods, assimilate nutrients, and eliminate waste. In humans, the digestive system includes the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT and the accessory glands (LIVER; BILIARY TRACT; PANCREAS). Ailmentary System,Alimentary System
D006056 Golgi Apparatus A stack of flattened vesicles that functions in posttranslational processing and sorting of proteins, receiving them from the rough ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM and directing them to secretory vesicles, LYSOSOMES, or the CELL MEMBRANE. The movement of proteins takes place by transfer vesicles that bud off from the rough endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi apparatus and fuse with the Golgi, lysosomes or cell membrane. (From Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990) Golgi Complex,Apparatus, Golgi,Complex, Golgi
D006651 Histocytochemistry Study of intracellular distribution of chemicals, reaction sites, enzymes, etc., by means of staining reactions, radioactive isotope uptake, selective metal distribution in electron microscopy, or other methods. Cytochemistry
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001048 Aplysia An opisthobranch mollusk of the order Anaspidea. It is used frequently in studies of nervous system development because of its large identifiable neurons. Aplysiatoxin and its derivatives are not biosynthesized by Aplysia, but acquired by ingestion of Lyngbya (seaweed) species. Aplysias
D001192 Arylsulfatases Enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of a phenol sulfate to yield a phenol and sulfate. Arylsulfatase A, B, and C have been separated. A deficiency of arylsulfatases is one of the causes of metachromatic leukodystrophy (LEUKODYSTROPHY, METACHROMATIC). EC 3.1.6.1. Arylsulfatase,Arylsulfate Sulfohydrolase,Arylsulfate Sulfohydrolases,Arylsulphatase,Arylsulphatases,Pseudo Arylsulfatase A,Sulfohydrolase, Arylsulfate
D015388 Organelles Specific particles of membrane-bound organized living substances present in eukaryotic cells, such as the MITOCHONDRIA; the GOLGI APPARATUS; ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM; LYSOSOMES; PLASTIDS; and VACUOLES. Organelle

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