[ULTRASTRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF CELLULAR ELEMENTS AND INTERCELLULAR CONNECTIONS IN STATOCYSTS OF TERRESTRIAL PULMONARY SNAIL H. LUCORUM].
The organ of mollusc equilibrium - statocyst appears to be the analogue of acoustic-vestibular system in vertebrate animals. In terrestrial pulmonary snail the epithelial lining of statocyst cavity is created by two types of the cells - a small amount of large cells, provided with kinocilia of sensitive cells and considerably a large number of small supporting or inserted cells, covered with the microvilli. By means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy the ultrastructure and intercellular connections of these cells were studied. The sensitive cells have in a certain way structured cytoplasm, which consists of three layers: ectoplasm, granular layer and hyaloplasm. Myelin-like bodies having the granular, vesicular and drop-like formations in the centre appear to be the special structure of the cytoplasm. In the cytoplasm there are areas, saturated with electron dense glycogen granules. On the electronograms sometimes it is observed how the pinocytic vesicles in the supporting cells are created from the diverticulum of plasmatic membrane of sensitive cells. The boundary areas of plasmatic membrane of adjacent cells (sensitive cells with supporting or supporting cells with the support) are also characterized by the presence of specialized contacts, which are analogous to desmosomes in the epithelial tissues, as well as by the existence of cellular desmosomes, interdigitations. Numerous lacunas have been revealed in the intercellular space, which are connected by the thin tubules and ducts resulting in the formation of a complicated configuration of extensive system of communicating with each other lacunae, which have the exit in statocyst cavity.
Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
G
G
Gorgiladze
Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
R
R
Bukia
Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
E
E
Kalandarishvili
Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
A
A
Taktakishvili
Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
N
N
Gelashvili
Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
M
M
Davitashvili
Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
N
N
Madjagaladze
D000818:Animals; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018466:Gravity Sensing; D006372:Helix, Snails / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure