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An electron microscope study of the formation of the periostracum in the freshwater bivalve, Anodonta cygnea
Author(s) -
Bubel Andreas
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1976.tb04674.x
Subject(s) - biology , electron microscope , groove (engineering) , anatomy , mollusca , cell , biophysics , microbiology and biotechnology , zoology , biochemistry , materials science , optics , physics , metallurgy
The periostracum and cells lining the periostracal groove of Anodonta cygnea L. have been studied at the electron microscope level. The cells lining the inner face of the outer fold differ in fine structural details, five cell types being recognized. Along the length of the outer surface of the middle fold, to which the periostracum is closely applied, only two cell types are evident. At the base of the periostracal groove the two epithelia are separated by a bulbous region containing a group of basal cells which initiate the periostracum. The periostracum, which is homogenously electron‐lucid, originates in the intercellular space between a basal cell and the first cell of the middle fold. It increases in thickness in the periostracal groove due to the secretory activity of the different outer fold cells. The cells of the middle fold do not appear to be involved in periostracum formation.