Biomaterial Database

Localization of acid phosphatase activity in Giardia lamblia and Giardia muris trophozoites. 1987

D E Feely, and J K Dyer

Numerous membrane-bounded vacuoles are found adjacent to the plasma membrane of the pathogenic protozoan Giardia lamblia. The function of these vacuoles has been discussed by several authors. Approximately 100-400 nm in diameter with a core of low electron density, they have been suggested to be mitochondria, mucocysts, lysosomes, and endocytotic vacuoles. Enzyme cytochemical localization for acid phosphatase activity using cerium as a capturing agent demonstrates reaction product in these vacuoles as well as in the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope cisternae. The distribution of reaction product suggests the vacuoles are lysosome-like; however, their function and development remain in question.

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
D004591	Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel	Electrophoresis in which a polyacrylamide gel is used as the diffusion medium.	Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis,SDS-PAGE,Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-PAGE,Gel Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide,SDS PAGE,Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate PAGE,Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-PAGEs
D005872	Giardia	A genus of flagellate intestinal EUKARYOTES parasitic in various vertebrates, including humans. Characteristics include the presence of four pairs of flagella arising from a complicated system of axonemes and cysts that are ellipsoidal to ovoidal in shape.	Lamblia,Giardias,Lamblias
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
D000135	Acid Phosphatase	An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of an orthophosphoric monoester and water to an alcohol and orthophosphate. EC 3.1.3.2.	Acid beta-Glycerophosphatase,Acid beta Glycerophosphatase
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
D014617	Vacuoles	Any spaces or cavities within a cell. They may function in digestion, storage, secretion, or excretion.	Vacuole