Skip to main content
Log in

Problems of being a cell in a soft body

  • Proceedings
  • I. Cellular biology
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Many soft bodied coelenterates are highly deformable or contractile. In the absence of hard skeletal elements, the epithelia are subjected to mechanical forces which cause a wide range of structural changes in the component epithelial cells. What kinds of structural change occur and how are the cells adapted to them? These questions are addressed with reference to cell surface area, cell membranes, cell junctions and epithelial cilia.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Batham, E. J., 1960. The fine structure of epithelium and mesogloea in a sea anemone. Q. Jl microsc. Sci. 101: 481–486.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batham, E. J. & C. F. A. Pantin, 1951. The organisation of the muscular system of Metridium senile. Q. Jl microsc. Sci. 92: 27–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, C. R. & N. E. Flower, 1980. Two new septate junctions in the phylum Coelenterata. J. Cell Sci. 42: 43–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hand, A. R. & G. Gobel, 1972. The structural organisation of the septate and gap junctions of Hydra. J. Cell Biol. 52: 397–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirokawa, N. & J. E. Heuser, 1981. Quick-freeze, deep-etch visualisation of the cytoskeleton beneath surface differentiations of intestinal epithelial cells. J. Cell Biol. 91: 399–409.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holley, M. C., 1982. The control of anthozoan cilia by the basal apparatus. Tissue Cell 14: 607–620.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holley, M. C., 1985a. Changes in the distribution of filamentcontaining septate junctions as coelenterate myoepithelial cells change shape. Tissue Cell 17: 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holley, M. C., 1985b. Adaptation of a ciliary basal apparatus to cell shape changes in a contractile epithelium. Tissue Cell 17: 321–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Machemer, H., 1974. Ciliary activity and metachronism in Protozoa. In M. A. Sleigh (ed.), Cilia and Flagella. Academic Press, Lond.: 199–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitelka, D. R., 1974. Basal bodies and root structures. In M. A. Sleigh (ed.), Cilia and Flagella. Academic Press, Lond.: 437–469.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieger, R. M. & M. Mainitz, 1977. Comparative fine structure study of the body wall in Gnathostomulida and their phylogenetic position between Platyhelminthes and Aschelminthes. Z. zool. Syst. EvolForsch. 15: 9–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robson, E. A., 1957. The structure and hydromechanics of the musculoepithelium in Metridium. Q. Jl microsc. Sci. 98: 265–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sleigh, M. A., 1976. Fluid propulsion by cilia and the physiology of ciliary systems. In P. Spencer-Davies (ed.), Perspectives in Experimental Biology. Pergamon Press, Oxford: 125–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sleigh, M. A. & N. R. Silvester, 1983. Anchorage functions of the basal apparatus of cilia. J. submicrosc. Cytol. 15: 101–104.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Holley, M.C. Problems of being a cell in a soft body. Hydrobiologia 216, 35–38 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00026440

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00026440

Key words

Navigation