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Fine structure of supporting cells in the lateral‐line canal‐organ of Fundulus
Author(s) -
Petraitis Ruth
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051180306
Subject(s) - golgi apparatus , biology , endoplasmic reticulum , vacuole , ultrastructure , secretion , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , intracellular , nucleus , cytoplasm , endocrinology
Phase and electron microscopic studies have revealed that the supporting cells of the lateral‐line canal‐organ of Fundulus heteroclitus have a fine structure characterized by (1) mitochondria and vacuoles in the apical zone, (2) granular endoplasmic reticulum surrounding a core of Golgi complex in the middle zone, and (3) an indented nucleus in the basal zone. In the middle and basal zones, wide intercellular spaces separate the adjacent supporting cells, whose plasma membranes form long flap‐like interdigitations across the intercellular spaces. Secretion of subcupular fluid and cupula, metabolic regulation through the intercellular spaces, and rigid support for the organ are discussed as possible metabolic and mechanical functions of the supporting cells essential for the lateral‐line canal‐organ.