Membrane

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=115 BGCOLOR="#66CCCC" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03500730ezvthe.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>The wonders of the weeverfish ( T.vipera )</B></FONT><B>|   </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wonders of the Weeverfish (Trachinus vip"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Venom Delivery"><U>Venom Delivery</U></A>   |   <B>Membrane</B>   |   <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Trachinidae Family"><U>Trachinidae  Family</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Questionnaire"><U>Questionnaire</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id146.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Site Reviews"><U>Site Reviews</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=365 BGCOLOR="#66CCCC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Membrane</B></div> <div> Around the Venom structure is a membrane, This membrane protects the entire venom structure from external pollutants and damage and my contribute to its function and maintenance, such as manufacturing the spine itself.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="15061090.jpg" border=0 width="353" height="265" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A photomicrograph of the venom apparatus showing the venom gland surrounded by the basal groove of the opercular spine. The outer membrane (arrowed) can also be seen. Bromophenol blue x100.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="15267f40.jpg" border=0 width="359" height="244" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A photomicrograph showing the venom gland and overlaying structures.  Bromophenol blue. x200.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="1546af60.jpg" border=0 width="362" height="246" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A photomicrograph showing the outer membrane which covers the venom apparatus. Large globular cells on the underside of the membrane can be seen for the first time and may have some secretary function related to the venom apparatus. Underneath this membrane appears to be a fibrous layer. This layer extends completely around the spine, leaving a small area of the tip exposed.  Bromophenol blue x400</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="156b0270.jpg" border=0 width="432" height="295" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A photomicrograph of the membrane clearly showing the large globular cells on the underside of the membrane. The exact function of these cells is unknown but they may have a secretary function. The function of the large dark cell on the outer edge is also unknown, but these cells only appear intermediately along the outer edge of this cellular layer and are not as numerous as the cells on the underside. These cells could be some form of chemical receptor or just be pigments in the outer layer. Bromophenol blue.</div> <div>  x1000 (Oil Emerson).</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="185516d0.jpg" border=0 width="593" height="621" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> In one of the slide sections a collection of distinct cells were seen in the bone structure these cells were uniform in shape and contained a number of spherical structures within. The exact nature and function of these cells is unknown. They may be an abnormality within the bone structure, Foreign body introduced during the staining and preparation of the sample or have some purpose and are an integral part of the venom gland.  The cells can also be seen in the top two photographs on this page. Bromophenol blue x400  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SITE INDEX"><U><B><IMG SRC="27194e10.jpg" border=0 width="148" height="225" ALT="Index Page To Site Link" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>