Ultrastructure of the tube-foot of an ophiuroid echinoderm, Hemipholis elongata |
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Authors: | Hajduk S L |
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Institution: | Department of Biochemistry, Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA. |
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Abstract: | The morphology of the tube-foot of the brittlestar, Hemipholis elongata was examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The entire surface of the tubefoot is covered by microvilli and a thick cuticle layer. At the tip of the tube-foot the cuticle layer is thinner and sensory-secretory complexes are seen. These are composed of two secretary cells and a central ciliated sensory cell. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the cilium which extends from the receptor cell ends flush with the surrounding microvilli. These studies suggest that the tube-feet in ophiuroids are important structures in sensory-reception, gasexchange as well as locomotion. The hemoglobin containing cells within the lumen of the tubefeet may serve in oxygen transport and storage. |
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