Biomaterial Database

The surface extracellular coat of the midgut in Triatoma infestans. I. Mechanism of development. 1986

L S Gutiérrez, and M H Burgos

The mechanism of formation of the apical surface, extracellular coat, and microvilli of the midgut of adult Triatoma infestans (hematophagous insect) has been studied with the electron microscope after a recent meal and after 10 days postfeeding. In the first case the extracellular coat becomes disorganized and mixed with the intestinal content. At the same time, small basal cells show the appearance of intracytoplasmic lipid droplets surrounded by a well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum; the droplets increase in size and complexity by incorporation of other smaller droplets. Short microvilli appear at the surface of the newly formed droplets. The homogeneous dense content gradually changes due to development of delicate plexiform membranes. Fusion with similar droplets from the neighbor cells coincides with desquamation of older degenerated superficial cells and their replacement by basal cells. An extracellular coat complex emerges from the fused droplets. At 10 days postfeeding, the microvilli-coat complex attains maximal development.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
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
D008871	Microvilli	Minute projections of cell membranes which greatly increase the surface area of the cell.	Brush Border,Striated Border,Border, Brush,Border, Striated,Borders, Brush,Borders, Striated,Brush Borders,Microvillus,Striated Borders
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
D005260	Female		Females
D005614	Freeze Fracturing	Preparation for electron microscopy of minute replicas of exposed surfaces of the cell which have been ruptured in the frozen state. The specimen is frozen, then cleaved under high vacuum at the same temperature. The exposed surface is shadowed with carbon and platinum and coated with carbon to obtain a carbon replica.	Fracturing, Freeze,Fracturings, Freeze,Freeze Fracturings
D000375	Aging	The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur as a result of the passage of time.	Senescence,Aging, Biological,Biological Aging
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
D014224	Triatoma	A genus of the subfamily TRIATOMINAE. Several species are vectors of TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI.	Triatomas
D014225	Triatominae	A subfamily of assassin bugs (REDUVIIDAE) that are obligate blood-suckers of vertebrates. Included are the genera TRIATOMA; RHODNIUS; and PANSTRONGYLUS, which are vectors of TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI, the agent of CHAGAS DISEASE in humans.