Summary
Electron microscopic observations are reported concerning the structure of sensory cells found in great numbers in the sucker ofOctopus vulgaris. These primary receptors have a variable number of cilia, whose structure closely resembles those previously described in motile cilia of vertebrates as well as invertebrate animals. The possibility that the intraepithelial receptors may be chemo-sensitive rather than mechanoreceptors is suggested. The structural complexity of the proximal ends of the cilia as well as the different numbers found in each cell remain to be interpreted in relation to the sensory nature of the cell.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Afzelius, B.: Electron microscopy of the sperm tail. Results obtained with a new fixative. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol.5, 269–278 (1959).
Allison, A. C.: The morphology of the vertebrate olfactory system. Biol. Rev.28, 195–244 (1953).
Bradfield, J. R. C.: Fibre pattern in animal flagella and cilia. Symp. Soc. exp. Biol.9, 306–344 (1955).
Boycott, B. B., E. G. Gray, andR. W. Guillery: A theory to account for the absence of boutons in silver preparations of the cerebral cortex, based on a study of axon terminals by light and electron microscopy. J. Physiol. (Lond.)152, 3–5 (1960).
Clark, Le Gros W. E.: Observations on the structure and organization of olfactory receptors in the rabbit. Yale J. Biol.29, 83–95 (1956).
—: Inquiries into the anatomical basis of olfactory discrimination. Proc. roy. Soc. B146, 299–319 (1957).
Dilly, P. N., E. G. Gray, andJ. Z. Young: Electron microscopy of optic nerves and optic lobes ofOctopus andEledone. Proc. roy. Soc. B158, 446–456 (1963).
Fawcett, W. don: Structural specializations of the cell surface. In: Frontiers in cytology byS. L. Palay. New Haven: Yale University Press 1958.
—: Cells and their component parts. In: The cell (J. Brachet, andA. E. Mirsky), vol. II, p. 217–297. New York and London: Academic Press 1961.
—, andK. R. Porter: A study of the fine structure of ciliated epithelia. J. Morph.94, 221–282 (1954).
Gibbons, J. R.: The relationship between the fine structure and direction of beat in gill cilia of a Lamellibranch mollusc. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol.11, 179–205 (1961).
—, andA. V. Grimstone: On flagellar structure in certain flagellates. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol.7, 697–715 (1960).
Gray, E. G.: Axosomatic and axodendritic synapses of the cerebral cortex; an electron microscope study. J. Anat. (Lond.)93, 420–433 (1959).
—: The fine structure of the insect ear. Phil. Trans. B243, 75–94 (1960).
—, andR. W. Guillery: The basis for silver staining of synapses of the mammalian spinal cord: a light and electron microscope study. J. Physiol. (Lond.)157, 581–588 (1961).
Graziadei, P.: Primi dati sul corredo nervoso del labbro orale diSepia offieinalis. R. Accad. Naz. Lincei29, 398–400 (1960).
—: Receptors in the sucker ofOctopus. Nature (Lond.)195, 57–59 (1962).
- In press (1964).
Guérin, G.: Contribution à l'étude des systèmes cutané, musculaire et nerveux de l'appareil tentaculaire des Céphalopodes. Arch. zool. exp. gen.8, 1–176 (1908).
Lorenzo, A. J. de: Electron microscopic observations of the olfactory mucosa and olfactory nerve. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol.3, 839–850 (1957).
Manton, I.: The fine structure of plant cilia. Symp. Soc. exp. Biol.6, 306–319 (1952).
—, andE. A. Flint: Further observations on the structure of plant cilia by a combination of visual and electron microscopy. J. exp. Bot.3, 204–215 (1952).
Miller, W. H.: Derivatives of cilia in the distal sense cells of the retina ofPecten. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol.4, 227–228 (1958).
Palay, S. L., andG. E. Palade: The fine structure of neurons. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol.1, 69–88 (1955).
Rhodin, J., andT. Dalhamn: Electron microscopy of the tracheal ciliated mucosa in rat. Z. Zellforsch.44, 345–412 (1956).
Sjöstrand, F. S.: The ultrastructure of cells as revealed by the electron microscope. Int. Rev. Cytol.5, 455–533 (1956).
Wells, M. J.: Taste by touch; some experiments withOctopus. J. exp. Biol.40, 187–193 (1963a).
—: The orientation ofOctopus. Ergebn. Biol.26, 40–54 (1963b).
- Tactile discrimination of shape byOctopus. Quart. J. exp. Psychol. (in press). (1963c).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was done at University College London, while I was in receipt of a Medical Research Council grant.
I am indebted to Prof.J. Z. Young, F.R.S. for his stimulating support and advice, to Dr.E. G. Gray who advised and made this work possible. My thanks are due to Mrs.M. Nixon for helping with the manuscript, Mrs.J. I. Astafief for making the drawings and to Mr.S. Waterman for the photographs.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Graziadei, P. Electron microscopy of some primary receptors in the sucker ofOctopus vulgaris . Z.Zellforsch 64, 510–522 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01045122
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01045122