Description

Cytopharynx with numerous folded membrane ribs subtended by five or so microtubules. These microtubules have arms that bind to other microtubules and to the membrane of the cytopharynx and to surrounding vesicles of various sizes. The vesicles are uncoated and free of ribosomes. The vesicles are probably equivalent to the discoidal vesicles and/or to the 100nm vesicles; the latter arise from the endosomal pathway of Paramecium. Evidence for vesicle fusion to the cytopharynx membrane, between the ribs, can be seen. Bacteria and tips of cilia are present in the lumen of the cytopharynx. TEM taken on 4/6/72 by R. Allen with Hitachi HU11A operating at 75kV. Mag. 19,500X. The raw negative was scanned with an Epson Perfection V750 Pro and this high resolution image is best used for quantitative analysis. Additional information available at (http://www5.pbrc.hawaii.edu/allen/).

Technical Details

Standard glutaraldehyde fixation followed by osmium tetroxide, dehydrated in alcohol and embedded in an epoxy resin. Microtome sections prepared at approximately 75nm thickness. Additional information available at (http://www5.pbrc.hawaii.edu/allen/).