Axostyle structure in the termite protozoon Pyrsonympha vertens |
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Authors: | Harriett E. Smith H.J. Arnott |
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Affiliation: | Department of Botany and Cell Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin USA |
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Abstract: | ![]() The axostyle of Pyrsonympha vertens is a cellular organelle composed of interconnected microtubules. In living organisms the axostyle has waves which originate at the anterior end of the protozoon and traverse the length to the posterior end of the protozoon so that an average of 3–4 waves are present in the organelle at any given point in time. The part of the axostyle between the waves is straight. In sections through the middle of the straight part, the microtubules are hexagonally packed, with predominant connections between tubules in rows across the width of the axostyle, but the microtubules are rectilinearly packed through the wave. The wave appears to involve changes in orientation and arrangement of the microtubules. The general structure of the microtubules, cross-bridges and axostyle in the straight and bent portions are described and related to the wave propagation by this organelle. |
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