• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.233-240
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• 2000

Aspects of structural differentiation of the free -floating hydrophyte, Spirodela polyrhira, has been investigated. The hydrophyte exhibited highly reduced structures having only fronds, connective stalks, and roots as a mature plant. The fronds were major photosynthetic and vegetatively reproducing organ during the growth. Daughter fronds which developed early in the mother frond were also chlorenchymatous, but they remained within foliage sheaths of the mother frond before separation from connecting stalks. Although the stalks and roots originated from the same meristematic region of the frond, they exhibited the distinct polarity showing former lateral growth and latter axial growth. Air chambers were formed only in the fronds and roots. Cellular components were scattered throughout the diffuse cytoplasm in most of the actively growing stalk cells. Root cells protected by the root cap demonstrated relatively complex organization, showing dense cytoplasm with Golgi, rER, mitochondria, and chloroplasts in the cortical cells. Cells in the root cap were highly vacuolated within the peripheral cytoplasm. Such reduction and differentiation of the plant body in Spirodela polyrhiza most effectively contributes to the better adaptation of smaller plants to superficial aquatic environments, while also enabling the rapid growth.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.111-124
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• 2008

In the present study, an attempt has been made to assess whether the effect of benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves on the ultrastructural changes in the epithelial cells of the cauda epididymis, its subsequent recovery in the seminiferous epithelium and fertility of male albino rats. Wistar strain male albino rats were orally administered benzene extract of 250 mg/kg body weight of O. sanctum leaves followed by subsequent recovery maintaining suitable controls for 48 days. Results indicate decrease in the weights of testis, epididymis and seminal vesicles. Other accessory organs were not affected. Total count, cell and nuclei diameters of germ cells and Leydig cells were reduced. Cauda epididymis exhibited significant reduction in epithelial height and nuclei diameter of epithelial cells. Cells showed vacuolization with exhibit of signs of degeneration. Ultra study revealed that, in general, the cauda epididymis was affected and in particular, the principal, clear and basal cells were highly disturbed. Further, there was decrease in the size of lipid droplets, mitochondria, Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum and accumulation of lysosomal bodies. Fertility performance test showed no implantation in female rats mated with O. sanctum treated rats. Moreover, their recovery after withdrawal of treatment was observed suggesting that the effect of the treatment is transient and reversible. A recovery period resulted in normal spermatogenesis and fertility, suggesting reversible antispermatogenic and antifertility effects of the plant.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.325-331
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• 2001

Integumentary structures of the stone flounder, Karefus bicoloratus were examined by means of the light and transmission electron microscopy. Stratified epidermal layer consists of supporting cells, unicellular glands and granular cells. The epidermal layer could be classified into superficial, intermediated and basal layer by morphology and structure of the supporting cells . The cytoplasm of supporting cells is divided into cortex and medullar part. In the cortex microfilaments are well developed. Mucous cells of unicellular gland were observed in the superficial and intermediated layer of the epidermis. The mucous materials were identified as glycoprotein of neutral and carboxylated mucosubstance by histochemical methods. Club cell has well developed smooth endoplasmic reticula and Golgi complex in the cytoplasm. Granular cells were observed in the intermediated and basal layer, and the cytoplasm is occupied with membrane-bounded granules of electron dense. Three types of pigment cells could be distinguished with electron density of cytoplasmic inclusions. Nerve myelins were observed near the pigment cells.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.109-124
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• 1993

The prenatal development of thoracic spinal cord was studied by electron microscope in human embryos and fetuses ranging from 9mm to 260mm crown-rump length (5-30 weeks of gestational age). Ependymal cells in all fetal ages had conspicuous junctional complexes close to the lumen of the central canal into which microvilli and cilia projected. The ependymal cells contained numerous longitudinally arranged mitochondria, flattened cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. At 20 mm embryo, the floor and roof plates were composed of ependymoglial cells and undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells. The neuroepithelia of the sacral spinal cord were delineated from central medullary cord. By 100 mm fetus few undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells remained in the floor and roof plates. At 150 mm fetus, the whole central canal was formed by ciliated columnar epithelial cells containing cilia with basal bodies. The microvilli became tangled and club-shaped and formed a matted surface. The canal was filled with areas of dark and pale amorphous materials bounded by membrane-like structure. These two types of material were found throughout the whole central canal from 100 mm fetus onwards. By 260 mm fetus, microfibrils were first observed in the ependymal cells. In conclusion, it seems that early development and differentiation of central canal ependyma are simlar to that in other part of the brain ventricular system although ependymoglial cells are more prominent.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-22
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• 1998

The development of the superior cervical ganglion was studied by electron microscopic method in human fetuses ranging from 40 mm to 260 mm of crown-rump length(10 to 30 weeks of gestational age). At 40 mm fetus, the superior cervical ganglion was composed of clusters of undifferentiated cell, primitive neuroblast, primitive supporting cell, and unmyelinated fibers. At 70 mm fetus, the neuroblasts and their processes were ensheated by the bodies or processes of satellite cells. The cytoplasm of the neuroblast contained rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi complex, Nissl bodies and dense-cored vesicles. As the neuroblasts grew and differentiated dense-cored vesicles moved away from perikaryal cytoplasm into developing processes. Synaptic contacts between the cholinergic axon and dendrites of postganglionic neuron and a few axosomatic synapses were first observed at 70 mm fetus. At 90 mm fetus the superior cervical ganglion consisted of neuroblasts, satellite cells, granule-containing cells, and unmyelinated nerve fibers. The ganglion cells increased somewhat in numbers and size by 150 mm fetus. Further differentiation resulted in the formation of young ganglion cells, whose cytoplasm was densely filled with cell organelles. During next prenatal stage up to 260 mm fetus, the cytoplasm of the ganglion cells contained except for large pigment granules, all intracytoplasmic structures which were also found in mature superior cervical ganglion. A great number of synaptic contact zones between the cholinergic preganglionic axon and the dendrites of the postganglionic neuron were observed and a few axosomatic synapses were also observed. Two morphological types of the granule-containing cells in the superior cervical ganglion were first identified at 90 mm fetus. Type I granule-containing cell occurred in solitary, whereas type II tended to appeared in clusters near the blood capillaries. Synaptic contacts were first found on the solitary granule-containing cell at 150 mm fetus. Synaptic contacts between the soma of type I granule-containing cells and preganglionic axon termials were observed. In addition, synaptic junctions between the processes of the granule-containing cells and dendrites of postganglionic neuron were also observed from 150 mm fetus onward. In conclusion, superior cervical ganglion cells and granule-containing cells arise from a common undifferentiated cell precursor of neural crest. The granule-containg cells exhibit a local modulatory feedback system in the superior cervical ganglion and may serve as interneurons between the preganglionic and postganglionic cells.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2016

Ultrastructural studies of oocyte development and vitellogenesis associated with the follicle cells in female Phacosoma japonicus were investigated by electron microscope observations. Vitelloogenesis in the oocytes occured by way of endogenous autosynthesis and exogenous heterosynthesis: vitellogenesis occurred through a process of endogenous autosynthesis, which involves a combined activity of the Golgi complex, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. However, the process of exogenous heterosynthesis involved endocytotic incorporation of extraovarian precursors into the basal region of the early vitellogenic oocytes. In this study, follicle cells, which attached to the previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes, were easily found. In particular, the follicle cells were involved in the development of previtellogenic oocytes by the supply of nutrients, and vitellogenesis in the early and late vitellogenic oocytes by endocytosis of yolk precursors. The functions of follicle cells, which attached to mature oocytes, accumulate reserves of lipid granules and glycogen particles for vitellogesis in the cytoplasm of the follicle cells.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.377-386
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• 2011

The ultrastructures of germ cells during spermatogenesis and sperm morphology in male Mya arenaria oonogai, which was collected on the coastal waters of Samcheonpo, south coast of Korea, were investigated by transmission electron microscopic observations. In the early stage of the spermatid during spermiogenesis, a few granules and a proacrosomal granule, which is formed by the Golgi complex, appear on the spermatid nucleus, and then it becomes a proacrosomal vesicle. Consequently, it becomes an acrosome by way of the process of acrosome formation. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus type and the acrosome of this species have a curved cylindrical type and cone shape, respectively. The spermatozoon is approximately $48-50{\mu}m$ in length including a curved cylinderical sperm nucleus (about $2.65{\mu}m$ long), an acrosome (about $0.64{\mu}m$ in length) and tail flagellum ($40-45{\mu}m$ long). As some ultrastructural characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle, the peripheral parts of two basal rings show electron opaque part (region), while the apex part of the acrosome shows electron lucent part (region). These charateristics of the sperm belong to the family Myidae or some species of Veneridae in the subclass Heterodonta, unlike a characteristic of the subclass Pteriomorphia showing all part of the acrosome being composed of electron opaque part (region). Therefore, it is easy to distinguish the families or the subclasses by the acrosome structures. Exceptionally, In particular, a cylinder-like nucleus of the sperm is curved (the angle of the nucleus is about $20^{\circ}$), as seen in some species of Veneridae (range from $0^{\circ}-80^{\circ}$). The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species are four, as one of common characteristics appeared in most species except for a few species in Veneridae in the subclass Heterodonta. Cross-sectioned axoneme of the sperm tail flagellum shows a 9+2 structure: the axoneme of the sperm tail flagellum consists of nine pairs of peripheral microtubules at the periphery and a pair of central doublets at the center.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.211-218
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• 2014

Spermatid differentiations during spermiogenesis and sperm ultrastructures in male Mercenaria stimpsoni were investigated by transmission electron microscopic observations. In the early stage of the spermatid during spermiogenesis, a few granules and a proacrosomal granule, which is formed by the Golgi complex, become a proacrosomal vesicle. Consequently, it becomes an acrosome by way of the process of acrosome formation. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus type and the acrosome of this species have a curved cylindrical type and cap shape, respectively. The spermatozoon is approximately $48-51{\mu}m$ in length including a curved cylinderical sperm nucleus (about $4.18{\mu}m$ long), an acrosome (about $0.52{\mu}m$ in length) and tail flagellum ($42-45{\mu}m$ long). As some ultrastructural characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle, the peripheral parts of two basal rings show electron opaque part (region), while the apex part of the acrosome shows electron lucent part (region). These charateristics of the sperm belong to the family Veneridae in the subclass Heterodonta, unlike a characteristic of the subclass Pteriomorphia showing all part of the acrosome being composed of electron opaque part (region). Therefore, it is easy to distinguish the families or the subclasses by the acrosome structures. Exceptionally, In particular, a cylinder-like nucleus of the sperm is curved (the angle of the nucleus is about $80^{\circ}$), as seen in some species of Veneridae (range from $0^{\circ}$ to $80^{\circ}$). The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species are four, as one of common characteristics appeared in most species except for a few species in Veneridae in the subclass Heterodonta. Cross-sectioned axoneme of the sperm tail flagellum shows a 9+2 structure.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2011

The anatomy and ultrastructure of the digestive diverticulum of Saxidomus purpuratus were described using light and electron microscopy. The digestive diverticulum of dark green color was situated on the gonad and connected to stomach by a primary duct. Digestive diverticulum is composed of numerous digestive tubules. The epithelial layer of digestive tubule, which is simple, is composed of basophilic cells and digestive cells. Basophilic cells are columnar in shape, and the electron density is higher than that of the digestive cell. The cytoplasm has a well-developed endoplasmic reticulum, tubular mitochondria, Golgi complex and membrane-bounded granules of high electron density. Digestive cells are columnar in shape, with development of microvilli on the free surface. Pinocytic vasicles, lysosomes and numerous mitochondria were observed in the apical cytoplasm of digestive cells. The results of this study suggest that basophilic cells and digestive cells in the digestive tubule are specialized in the extracellular and intracellular digestions, respectively.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 2016

In this study, we used electron microscopic analysis to characterize the hemocytes in the last larva of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Colbe) (Cetoniidae, Coleoptera). Granulocytes (GR), plasmatocytes (PL), oenocytoids (OE), spherulocytes (SP), prohemocytes (PR) and adipohemocytes (AD) were classified based on their size and ultrastructural differences in the circulating hemocytes. Many dark granules (<$1{\mu}m$ in diameter) in the GR's cytoplasm were observed and well-developed mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), nucleus, and Golgi complex were also seen. After microorganisms infected, the GRs were morphologically activated and phagocytosed them. Especially, dark granules (lysosomes) were fused themselves and these bigger granules finally agglomerate together with microorganisms. Other hemocytes seem to have no immune functions.