Biomaterial Database

The ultrastructure of pinealocytes in the golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus) with special reference to the granular vesicles. 1978

P Pevet, and M A Kuyper

The ultrastructure of the pinealocytes of the golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus), a blind subterranean mammal living in complete darkness, was examined and compared with that of pinealocytes of other mammals. On the basis of the presence of granular vesicles and glycogen granules, only one population of pinealocytes was found. Large mitochondria, ribosomes, lipid inclusions and scarce lysosomes were observed in the perikaryon. Numerous glycogen granules, often forming typical accumulations, were frequently found to be associated with typical vacuoles. An extraordinary large number of granular vesicles is characteristic of the golden mole pinealocyte. Phenomena of excretion of compound(s) stored in the granular vesicles were identified. Morphologically this is characterized by dissociation of its granular core in situ while its limiting membrane is preserved. The physiological significance of the secretory process characterized by the formation of these granular vesicles is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007312	Eulipotyphla	An order of insect eating MAMMALS including MOLES; SHREWS; HEDGEHOGS.	Insectivora,Soricomorpha
D008297	Male		Males
D008322	Mammals	Warm-blooded vertebrate animals belonging to the class Mammalia, including all that possess hair and suckle their young.	Mammalia,Mammal
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
D008971	Moles	Any of numerous burrowing mammals found in temperate regions and having minute eyes often covered with skin.	Mole
D010870	Pineal Gland	A light-sensitive neuroendocrine organ attached to the roof of the THIRD VENTRICLE of the brain. The pineal gland secretes MELATONIN, other BIOGENIC AMINES and NEUROPEPTIDES.	Epiphysis Cerebri,Pineal Body,Corpus Pineale,Gland, Pineal,Pineal Bodies,Pineal Glands
D003594	Cytoplasmic Granules	Condensed areas of cellular material that may be bounded by a membrane.	Cytoplasmic Granule,Granule, Cytoplasmic,Granules, Cytoplasmic
D005260	Female		Females
D006003	Glycogen
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