Vomeronasal and olfactory nerves of adult and larval bullfrogs: II. Axon terminations and synaptic contacts in the accessory olfactory bulb. 1990

P R Burton
Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045.

The ultrastructure of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) of the bullfrog tadpole and adult was examined, and the main difference between tadpole and adult is that the latter is more compact and shows more synapses. Except for vomeronasal (VMN) glomeruli, the AOB is not highly organized, with mitral cell neurons scattered throughout the neuropil. VMN axon terminals form asymmetric synapses with mitral cell dendrites in glomeruli; in VMN axon terminals, dense-cored vesicles are seen along with the more abundant lucent vesicles 40-50 nm in diameter. Counts indicated that more than 90% of the dendro-dendritic synapses between mitral cells and presumed granule cells are of the asymmetrical type, and reciprocal asymmetrical-symmetrical synapses are not common. Lucent vesicles with round or slightly ellipsoidal profiles and less abundant dense-cored vesicles 60-90 nm in diameter are found in pre- and postsynaptic dendrites; sometimes the dense-cored vesicles lie against or near the presynaptic membrane. Microtubules were often seen to be closely associated with pre- and postsynaptic elements of dendro-dendritic synapses. The most characteristic feature of mitral cell bodies, apart from their large size, is an extensive Golgi system that may extend well into their major dendritic extensions. Dense-cored vesicles are associated with Golgi membranes, from which they probably originate. Centrioles are associated with the Golgi system, and some become basal bodies and give rise to cilia in some mitral cells.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
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
D009300 Nasal Septum The partition separating the two NASAL CAVITIES in the midplane. It is formed by the SEPTAL NASAL CARTILAGE, parts of skull bones (ETHMOID BONE; VOMER), and membranous parts. Nasal Septums,Septum, Nasal,Septums, Nasal
D009411 Nerve Endings Branch-like terminations of NERVE FIBERS, sensory or motor NEURONS. Endings of sensory neurons are the beginnings of afferent pathway to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Endings of motor neurons are the terminals of axons at the muscle cells. Nerve endings which release neurotransmitters are called PRESYNAPTIC TERMINALS. Ending, Nerve,Endings, Nerve,Nerve Ending
D009830 Olfactory Bulb Ovoid body resting on the CRIBRIFORM PLATE of the ethmoid bone where the OLFACTORY NERVE terminates. The olfactory bulb contains several types of nerve cells including the mitral cells, on whose DENDRITES the olfactory nerve synapses, forming the olfactory glomeruli. The accessory olfactory bulb, which receives the projection from the VOMERONASAL ORGAN via the vomeronasal nerve, is also included here. Accessory Olfactory Bulb,Olfactory Tract,Bulbus Olfactorius,Lateral Olfactory Tract,Main Olfactory Bulb,Olfactory Glomerulus,Accessory Olfactory Bulbs,Bulb, Accessory Olfactory,Bulb, Main Olfactory,Bulb, Olfactory,Bulbs, Accessory Olfactory,Bulbs, Main Olfactory,Bulbs, Olfactory,Glomerulus, Olfactory,Lateral Olfactory Tracts,Main Olfactory Bulbs,Olfactorius, Bulbus,Olfactory Bulb, Accessory,Olfactory Bulb, Main,Olfactory Bulbs,Olfactory Bulbs, Accessory,Olfactory Bulbs, Main,Olfactory Tract, Lateral,Olfactory Tracts,Olfactory Tracts, Lateral,Tract, Lateral Olfactory,Tract, Olfactory,Tracts, Lateral Olfactory,Tracts, Olfactory
D011892 Rana catesbeiana A species of the family Ranidae (true frogs). The only anuran properly referred to by the common name "bullfrog", it is the largest native anuran in North America. Bullfrog,Bullfrogs,Rana catesbeianas,catesbeiana, Rana
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
D013569 Synapses Specialized junctions at which a neuron communicates with a target cell. At classical synapses, a neuron's presynaptic terminal releases a chemical transmitter stored in synaptic vesicles which diffuses across a narrow synaptic cleft and activates receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the target cell. The target may be a dendrite, cell body, or axon of another neuron, or a specialized region of a muscle or secretory cell. Neurons may also communicate via direct electrical coupling with ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES. Several other non-synaptic chemical or electric signal transmitting processes occur via extracellular mediated interactions. Synapse

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