Biomaterial Database

Synapses of biplexiform ganglion cells in the outer plexiform layer of the retina in Xenopus laevis. 1995

C Straznicky, and R Gábriel

Department of Anatomy and Histology, Flinders University of South Australia.

Following retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase from the optic nerve to the retina in Xenopus laevis, biplexiform ganglion cell were revealed. Their synaptic association with the other elements of the outer plexiform layer (OPL) were studied in serial ultrathin sections. The dendrites in the OPL of two regrogradely labelled biplexiform ganglion cells (GC1 and GC2) were completely reconstructed from the sections. Both cells had similar dendritic field sizes (0.026 and 0.025 m2, respectively) in the OPL, and received a few dozens of synapses (GC1: 39, GC2: 56) synapses. None of the ganglion cell dendrites were found in presynaptic position. Of the synapses, 10 derived from rods, 22 from cones and 7 from horizontal cells to GC1 and 13 from rods, 32 from cones and 10 from horizontal cells to GC2. Synapses were seen neither between interplexiform cell axons and biplexiform ganglion cell dendrites nor bipolar and biplexiform ganglion cell dendrites in the OPL. These observations indicate that the dendrites of biplexiform ganglion cells preferentially but not exclusively receive synapses from photoreceptor cells in the OPL.

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
D012160	Retina	The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent.	Ora Serrata
D002452	Cell Count	The number of CELLS of a specific kind, usually measured per unit volume or area of sample.	Cell Density,Cell Number,Cell Counts,Cell Densities,Cell Numbers,Count, Cell,Counts, Cell,Densities, Cell,Density, Cell,Number, Cell,Numbers, Cell
D003712	Dendrites	Extensions of the nerve cell body. They are short and branched and receive stimuli from other NEURONS.	Dendrite
D005260	Female		Females
D005724	Ganglia	Clusters of multipolar neurons surrounded by a capsule of loosely organized CONNECTIVE TISSUE located outside the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
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
D013569	Synapses	Specialized junctions at which a neuron communicates with a target cell. At classical synapses, a neuron's presynaptic terminal releases a chemical transmitter stored in synaptic vesicles which diffuses across a narrow synaptic cleft and activates receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the target cell. The target may be a dendrite, cell body, or axon of another neuron, or a specialized region of a muscle or secretory cell. Neurons may also communicate via direct electrical coupling with ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES. Several other non-synaptic chemical or electric signal transmitting processes occur via extracellular mediated interactions.	Synapse
D014982	Xenopus laevis	The commonest and widest ranging species of the clawed "frog" (Xenopus) in Africa. This species is used extensively in research. There is now a significant population in California derived from escaped laboratory animals.	Platanna,X. laevis,Platannas,X. laevi