Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The visceral ganglion of Aplysia Californica

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

  1. 1.

    The neurons and glial cells of the visceral ganglion are closely packed together except in the peripheral zone of the ganglion, where an extracellular space, the subcapsular sinus, occurs. The interglial clefts are often dilated in this region, and contain small amounts of the flocculent material which fills the sinus.

  2. 2.

    Most of the glial cells of the peripheral zone are filled with particles of glycogen. Processes of these cells invaginate deeply into neuronal perikarya. Patches of glycogen also occur in the neurons.

  3. 3.

    Some of the neurons contain small, membrane-limited granules which resemble neurosecretory granules. These appear to arise in Golgi cisternae. Such granules also occur in neuronal processes within the basement membrane of the ganglion and in the connective tissue capsule outside. In the latter location the nerve fibers may be entirely unsheathed.

  4. 4.

    Small caliber processes in the neuropil contain vesicles which resemble synaptic vesicles in other locations. In this ganglion the vesicles usually have osmiophilic centers.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature

  • Arvanitaki, A., and N. Chalazontis: Interactions électriques entre le soma géant A et les somata immédiatement contigus (Ganglion pleuro-branchial d'Aplysia). Bull. Inst. Océanogr. Monaco 1143, 1–30 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Barfurth, D.: Vergleichend-histochemische Untersuchungen über das Glycogen. Arch. mikr. Anat. 25, 259–404 (1885).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargmann, W., A. Knoop u. A. Thiel: Elektronenmikroskopische Studie an der Neurohypophyse von Tropidonotus natrix (mit Berücksichtigung der pars intermedia). Z. Zellforsch. 47, 114–126 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Batham, E. J.: Infoldings of nerve fiber membranes in the opisthobranch mollusc Aplysia californica. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 490–492 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bern, H. A.: The properties of neurosecretory cells. Gen. comp. Endocr., Suppl. 1, 117–132 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, R. S. Nishioka and I. R. Hagadorn: Association of elementary neurosecretory granules with the Golgi complex. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 5, 311–320 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bochenek, A.: Contribution à l'étude du système nerveux des gastéropodes (Helix pomatia). I. L'anatomie fine des cellules nerveuses. Névraxe 3, 83–105 (1901).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bottazzi, F.: Ricerche fisiologiche sul sistema nervoso viscerale delle Aplisie e di alcuni cefalopodi. Riv. di Sc. Biologiche An. 1, 837–924 (1899).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, R. H.: The cytology of glandular secretion. Quart. Rev. Biol. 4, 299–324 (1929).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bullock, T. H.: On the anatomy of the giant neurons of the visceral ganglion of Aplysia. In: Nervous Inhibition, E. Florey, ed., p. 233–240. New York: Pergamon 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chalazonitis, N., et A. Arvanitaki: Chromoprotéides et succinoxydase dans divers grains isolables du protoplasme neuronique. Arch. Sci. physiol. 10, 291–320 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, et J. Lenoir: Ultrastructure et organisation du neurone d'Aplysia. Étude au microscope électronique. Bull. Inst. Océanogr. Monaco 1144, 1–11 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chou, J. T. Y., and G. A. Meek: The ultra-fine structure of lipid globules in the neurones of Helix aspersa. Quart. J. micr. Sci. 99, 279–287 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Eales, N. B.: Aplysia. Proc. Trans. Liverpool Biol. Soc. 35, 183–266 (1921).

    Google Scholar 

  • Erhard, H.: Glykogen in Nervenzellen. Biol. Zbl. 31, 472–475 (1911).

    Google Scholar 

  • Essner, E., and A. B. Novikofe: Human hepatocellular pigments and lysosomes. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 3, 374–391 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Friede, R.: Der Kohlenhydratgehalt der Glia von Hirudo bei verschiedenen Funktionszuständen. Z. Zellforsch. 41, 509–520 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerschenfeld, H. H.: Submicroscopic bases of synaptic organization in gasteropod nervous system. In: Electron Microscopy, vol. 2, S. S. jr. Breese, ed. New York: Academic Press 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havet, J.: Le glycogène dans les centres nerveux (vertébrés et invertébrés). Cellule 46, 179–192 (1937).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hess, A.: The fine structure of young and old spinal ganglia. Anat. Rec. 123, 399–423 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgkin, A. L., and B. Katz: The effect of sodium ions on the electrical activity of the giant axon of the squid. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 108, 37–77 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmgren, E.: Weitere Mitteilungen über „Saftkanälchen“ der Nervenzellen. Anat. Anz. 18, 290–296 (1900).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle, G.: Potassium ions and insect nerve muscle. J. exp. Biol. 30, 121–135 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jhering, v. H.: Vergleichende Anatomie des Nervensystems und Phylogenie der Mollusken. Leipzig: W. Engelmann 1877.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karnovsky, M. J.: Simple methods for “staining with lead” at high pH in electron microscopy. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 11, 729–732 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Luft, J. H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazzarelli, G.: Monografia delle Aplysiidae del Golfo di Napoli. Soc. it. Sci. Roma, Mem. d. mat. d. fis., Ser. III, 9, No 4 (1893).

  • Palay, S. L.: Neurosecretion. V. The origin of neurosecretory granules from the nuclei of nerve cells in fishes. J. comp. Neurol. 79, 247–275 (1943).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Synapses in the central nervous system. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 2 Suppl., 193–202 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The fine structure of secretory neurons in the preoptic nucleus of the goldfish (Carassius auratus). Anat. Rec. 138, 417–443 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, and G. E. Palade: The fine structure of neurons. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 1, 69–88 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pipa, R. L.: Studies on the hexapod nervous system. III. Histology and histochemistry of cockroach neuroglia. J. comp. Neurol. 116, 15–26 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Revel, J. P., L. Napolitano and D. W. Fawcett: Identification of glycogen in electron micrographs of thin tissue sections. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 8, 575–589 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, K. C., L. Jarett and E. H. Finke: Embedding in epoxy resins for ultrathin sectioning in electron microscopy. Stain Technol. 35, 313–323 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbluth, J.: Subsurface cisterns and their relationship to the neuronal plasma membrane. J. Cell Biol. 13, 405–421 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Contrast between osmium-fixed and permanganate-fixed toad spinal ganglia. J. Cell Biol. 16, 143–157 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Scharrer, B.: Über das Hanströmsche Organ × bei Opisthobranchiern. Pubbl. Staz. zool. Napoli 15, 132–142 (1935).

    Google Scholar 

  • Scharrer, B. C. J.: The differentiation between neuroglia and connective tissue sheath in the cockroach (Periplaneta americana). J. comp. Neurol. 70, 77–88 (1939).

    Google Scholar 

  • Scharrer, E., and S. Brown: Neurosecretion, XII. The formation of neurosecretory granules in the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris L. Z. Zellforsch. 54, 530–540 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlote, F. W.: Submikroskopische Morphologie von Gastropodennerven. Z. Zellforsch. 45, 543–568 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, L.: Secretory activity in neurons of Aplysia. M. A. Thesis University of California Berkeley 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strumwasser, F.: Modes of synaptic operation and their relevance for pattern formation in an integrative ganglion. Fed. Proc. 20, 338 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tauc, L.: Maintien de la transmission synaptique dans le neurone géant d'Aplysie sans activation du soma ou en l'absence du soma. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 250, 1560–1562 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, M. L.: Staining of tissue sections for electron microscopy with heavy metals. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 475–478 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigglesworth, V. B.: The nutrition of the central nervous system in the cockroach Periplaneta americana L. The role of perineurium and glial cells in the mobilization of reserves. J. exp. Biol. 37, 500–512 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, D. E., L. T. Potter, K. C. Richardson and J. Axelrod: Localizing tritiated norepinephrine in sympathetic axons by electron microscopic autoradiography. Science 138, 440–441 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, University of California Medical Center, San Francisco, Cal., USA

    Jack Rosenbluth

  2. The Laboratory of Neuroanatomical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., USA

    Jack Rosenbluth

  3. Department of Anatomy, Harvard Medical School, Boston 15, Mass., USA

    Jack Rosenbluth

Authors
  1. Jack Rosenbluth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported in part by Special Fellowship BT-893 from the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Blindness, US Public Health Service, and by Grant H-4512 from the National Heart Institute.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rosenbluth, J. The visceral ganglion of Aplysia Californica . Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 60, 213–236 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350477

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350477

Keywords

Search

Navigation