Biomaterial Database

Ultrastructure of the lateral-line sense organs of the ratfish, Chimaera monstrosa. 1981

D K Ekström von Lubitz

The ultrastructure of the lateral-line neuromasts in the ratfish, Chimaera monstrosa is described. The neuromasts rest at the bottom of open grooves and consist of sensory, supporting, basal and mantle cells. Each sensory cell is equipped with sensory hairs consisting of a single kinocilium and several stereocilia. There are several types of sensory hair arrangement, and cells with a particular arrangement from patches within the neuromast. There are two types of afferent synapse. The most common afferent synapse has a presynaptic body and is typically associated with an extensive system of anastomosing tubules on the presynaptic side. When the tubules are absent, vesicles surround the presynaptic body. These synapses are often associated into synaptic fields, containing up to 35 synaptic sites. The second type of afferent synapse does not have a presynaptic body and is not associated with the tubular system. The afferent synapses of the second type do not form synaptic fields and are uncommon. The afferent synapses are either associated with a postsynaptic sac or more commonly with a strongly osmiophilic postsynaptic membrane. The accessory cells are similar to those in the acoustico-lateralis organs of other aquatic vertebrates. A possibility of movement of the presynaptic bodies and of involvement of the tubular system in the turnover of the transmitter is discussed. A comparison of the hair tuft types in the neuromasts of Ch. monstrosa with those in the labyrinth of the goldfish and of the frog is attempted.

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
D009475	Neurons, Afferent	Neurons which conduct NERVE IMPULSES to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Afferent Neurons,Afferent Neuron,Neuron, Afferent
D009476	Neurons, Efferent	Neurons which send impulses peripherally to activate muscles or secretory cells.	Efferent Neurons,Efferent Neuron,Neuron, Efferent
D011984	Sensory Receptor Cells	Specialized afferent neurons capable of transducing sensory stimuli into NERVE IMPULSES to be transmitted to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Sometimes sensory receptors for external stimuli are called exteroceptors; for internal stimuli are called interoceptors and proprioceptors.	Nerve Endings, Sensory,Neurons, Sensory,Neuroreceptors,Receptors, Neural,Neural Receptors,Receptors, Sensory,Sensory Neurons,Sensory Receptors,Nerve Ending, Sensory,Neural Receptor,Neuron, Sensory,Neuroreceptor,Receptor Cell, Sensory,Receptor Cells, Sensory,Receptor, Neural,Receptor, Sensory,Sensory Nerve Ending,Sensory Nerve Endings,Sensory Neuron,Sensory Receptor,Sensory Receptor Cell
D002923	Cilia	Populations of thin, motile processes found covering the surface of ciliates (CILIOPHORA) or the free surface of the cells making up ciliated EPITHELIUM. Each cilium arises from a basic granule in the superficial layer of CYTOPLASM. The movement of cilia propels ciliates through the liquid in which they live. The movement of cilia on a ciliated epithelium serves to propel a surface layer of mucus or fluid. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Motile Cilia,Motile Cilium,Nodal Cilia,Nodal Cilium,Primary Cilia,Primary Cilium,Cilium,Cilia, Motile,Cilia, Nodal,Cilia, Primary,Cilium, Motile,Cilium, Nodal,Cilium, Primary
D004721	Endoplasmic Reticulum	A system of cisternae in the CYTOPLASM of many cells. In places the endoplasmic reticulum is continuous with the plasma membrane (CELL MEMBRANE) or outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. If the outer surfaces of the endoplasmic reticulum membranes are coated with ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum is said to be rough-surfaced (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, ROUGH); otherwise it is said to be smooth-surfaced (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, SMOOTH). (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Ergastoplasm,Reticulum, Endoplasmic
D005399	Fishes	A group of cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrates having gills, fins, a cartilaginous or bony endoskeleton, and elongated bodies covered with scales.
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
D012679	Sense Organs	Specialized organs adapted for the reception of stimuli by the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Sensory System,Organ, Sense,Sense Organ,Sensory Systems,System, Sensory