Biomaterial Database

Surface domains in the pathogenic protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus. 1992

M Benchimol, and B Kachar, and W De Souza

Departamento de Parasitologia e Biofisica Celular, Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

The quick-freezing and freeze-etching techniques were used to analyze surface domains of Tritrichomonas foetus. The surface of the protozoan body was not smooth, presenting surface projections, except on the flagellar surface. Images of the actual surface of the anterior flagella revealed the presence of intramembranous particles that form rosettes, as observed on the protoplasmic fracture face. They may represent integral transmembrane proteins exposed at the cell surface. Surface specializations were also observed at the flagella base and where the recurrent flagellum attaches to the cell body.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D005613	Freeze Etching	A replica technique in which cells are frozen to a very low temperature and cracked with a knife blade to expose the interior surfaces of the cells or cell membranes. The cracked cell surfaces are then freeze-dried to expose their constituents. The surfaces are now ready for shadowing to be viewed using an electron microscope. This method differs from freeze-fracturing in that no cryoprotectant is used and, thus, allows for the sublimation of water during the freeze-drying process to etch the surfaces.	Etching, Freeze
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
D016835	Tritrichomonas foetus	A species of flagellate parasitic EUKARYOTE. It possesses a long undulating membrane that is bordered on its outer margin by a flagellum that becomes free posteriorly. This organism causes infections in cows that could lead to temporary infertility or abortion.