Summary
A characteristic structure in the apical junctional belt of the olfactory epithelium in Rana temporaria is visible in freeze-fracture preparations. This structure is described as a “funnel with channel across the junctional belt”. It is supposed to represent a possible way for “discarding used molecules” after stimulation, and to allow the stimulation of free nerve endings in the depth of olfactory epithelia.
Zusammenfassung
Die apikale Schlußleiste im Riechepithel des Grasfrosches, Rana temporaria, weist in Gefrierbrüchen eine auffällige Struktur auf, welche als “Trichter mit Kanal” beschrieben wird. Möglicherweise dient sie der Entfernung verbrauchter Duftmoleküle und ermöglicht eine Erregung intraepithelialer freier Nervenendigungen.
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I wish to thank Prof. C.F. Bardele and Mr. H. Schoppmann for their kind support and technical help
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Müller, W. Cell junctions with funnels in the olfactory mucosa of frogs (Rana temporaria L.). Cell Tissue Res. 207, 165–169 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239338
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239338