Summary
The fine structure of the Minotian gland cell (spherical or granular club cell) and the phagocytic cell of the gastrodermis is described. The Minotian cells characteristically contain distinctive granules which are produced by the Golgi. Inclusion bodies containing membranous remains can also be found in the cytoplasm. The phagocytic cells bear groups of microvilli near adjacent junctions and have a much infolded basement membrane. Near the pharynx these cells contain the rod-shaped apical bodies found in the pharyngeal epithelium. Further into the intestine the cells more characteristically contain numerous phagocytic vacuoles and vacuolar dense bodies. After feeding, a consistent occlusion of the intestinal lumen has been observed. The columnar phagocytes have been shown to phagocytose cellular material and will also take up peroxidase and thorium oxide. The substances initially appear in the apical phagosomes. Acid phosphatase activity has been detected in the phagosomes after feeding. The enzyme is packaged in the Golgi and occurs in Golgi vacuoles and lysosomes of similar dimensions (morphologically vacuolar dense bodies). The fusion of lysosomes with phagosomes has been demonstrated histochemically.
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This research was supported by the Scientific Research Council Grant No. B/RG/086.
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Bowen, I.D., Ryder, T.A. & Thompson, J.A. The fine structure of the planarianPolycelis tenuis Iijima. Protoplasma 79, 1–17 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02055779
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02055779