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Distribution of Acid Phosphatase in Paramecium caudatum: Its Relations with the Process of Digestion
Author(s) -
ESTEVE JEANCLAUDE
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1970.tb05155.x
Subject(s) - vacuole , endoplasmic reticulum , acid phosphatase , golgi apparatus , paramecium caudatum , vesicle , organelle , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry , paramecium , ultrastructure , chemistry , enzyme , membrane , cytoplasm , botany
SYNOPSIS. The distribution of acid phosphatase was investigated at the ultrastructural level in Paramecium caudatum. Acid phosphatase occurs in endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, food vacuoles, autophagic vesicles, vacuolar and dense bodies. Some slight deposits are also seen in the mitochondria. These observations point out that this hydrolase activity is related to digestive processes. The enzyme, originating from the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus reaches the food vacuole or autophagic vesicle likely via the reticulum. The digestion of the bacteria or of the enclosed organelle gives rise to electronopaque material which is later found in dense bodies. These dense bodies are likely secondary lysosomes and it is possible that they may fuse with the young food vacuole or with autophagic vesicles.