A freeze-fracture study of the tegumental membrane of Schistosoma mansoni (Platyhelminthes:Trematoda).
Two fracture faces in each half of the freeze-fractured tegumental membrane of adult Schistosoma mansoni indicate the presence of two trilaminate membranes. This result is compatible with the heptalaminate appearance of the tegumental membrane in ultrathin sections. Intramembranous particles are located mainly in the outermost leaflet of the outer membrane and in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the inner membrane. The tegumental membrane of the cercaria (infective larva) has a single fracture plane, which conforms with its trilaminate appearance in sections. Intramembranous particles are extremely numerous and are almost all located in the cytoplasmic leaflet.
D000818:Animals; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D008297:Male; D008566:Membranes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000648:ultrastructure*