Ultrastructure of the segmental giant neuron of crayfish. 1985

W J Heitler, and J L Cobb, and K Fraser

The ultrastructure of the crayfish segmental giant (SG) neuron is described, and compared to other identified and unidentified crayfish neurons. The SG was specifically stained by intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase and is divided into four regions of interest. In the dorsal region, finger-like dendrites of the SG make contact with the through-conducting giant fibres (GF). These contacts are physiologically defined rectifying electrical synapses. They are characterized by the presence of 30-95 nm agranular vesicles in the presynaptic GFs, some postsynaptic density in the SG, and a narrowing of the intermembrane cleft to approximately 5 nm. There is little evidence for connecting cytoplasmic bridges. Unidentified neurons make chemical input with either round or elliptical vesicle types onto SG bottlenecks close to the electrical synapses. Ventral to the GFs, dendritic profiles of the SG make three sorts of contact with unidentified neurons. (a) Regions of close membrane apposition (approximately 5 nm) are presumed to be electrical output synapses, but there are no vesicles such as at the input synapses, and, again, little sign of connecting bridges. (b) Chemical input is received from unidentified presynaptic neurons containing either round or elliptical vesicles. These synapses are characterized by 30-75 nm presynaptic agranular vesicles, widened cleft (approximately 20 nm), granular cleft material and postsynaptic density. There is no sign of any presynaptic density. (c) Very occasional SG profiles containing vesicles and making output synapses to unidentified neurons occur. In the lateral neuropil at the edge of the ganglion the SG gives rise to a small tuft of very fine dendrites. These are nearly all laden with vesicles and ramify in a complex region of neuropil containing many small profiles which are also vesicle-laden. The SG axon diminishes in diameter as it progresses along its peripheral nerve root, and finally terminates at a blind ending near the base of the swimmerets. It is sheathed along its entire length, and there is no sign of vesicles within it. We conclude that the SG axon makes no peripheral output.

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
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
D009431 Neural Conduction The propagation of the NERVE IMPULSE along the nerve away from the site of an excitation stimulus. Nerve Conduction,Conduction, Nerve,Conduction, Neural,Conductions, Nerve,Conductions, Neural,Nerve Conductions,Neural Conductions
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D003400 Astacoidea A superfamily of various freshwater CRUSTACEA, in the infraorder Astacidea, comprising the crayfish. Common genera include Astacus and Procambarus. Crayfish resemble lobsters, but are usually much smaller. Astacus,Crayfish,Procambarus,Astacoideas,Crayfishs
D003712 Dendrites Extensions of the nerve cell body. They are short and branched and receive stimuli from other NEURONS. Dendrite
D005724 Ganglia Clusters of multipolar neurons surrounded by a capsule of loosely organized CONNECTIVE TISSUE located outside the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
D006735 Horseradish Peroxidase An enzyme isolated from horseradish which is able to act as an antigen. It is frequently used as a histochemical tracer for light and electron microscopy. Its antigenicity has permitted its use as a combined antigen and marker in experimental immunology. Alpha-Peroxidase,Ferrihorseradish Peroxidase,Horseradish Peroxidase II,Horseradish Peroxidase III,Alpha Peroxidase,II, Horseradish Peroxidase,III, Horseradish Peroxidase,Peroxidase II, Horseradish,Peroxidase III, Horseradish,Peroxidase, Ferrihorseradish,Peroxidase, Horseradish
D000005 Abdomen That portion of the body that lies between the THORAX and the PELVIS. Abdomens
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

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