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The Journal of Biophysical and Biochemical Cytology logoLink to The Journal of Biophysical and Biochemical Cytology
. 1956 Jul 25;2(4):123–128. doi: 10.1083/jcb.2.4.123

ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES ON THE DICTYOSOMES AND ACROBLASTS IN THE MALE GERM CELLS OF THE CRICKET

H W Beams 1, T N Tahmisian 1, R L Devine 1, Everett Anderson 1
PMCID: PMC2229707  PMID: 13357533

Abstract

The dictyosome (Golgi body) in the secondary spermatocyte of the cricket appears in electron micrographs as a duplex structure composed of (a) a group of parallel double-membraned lamellae and (b) a group of associated vacuoles arranged along the compact lamellae in a chain-like fashion. This arrangement of ultramicroscopic structure for the dictyosomes is strikingly comparable to that described for the Golgi apparatus of vertebrates. Accordingly, the two are considered homologous structures. Associated with the duplex structure of the dictyosomes is a differentiated region composed of small vacuoles. This is thought to represent the pro-acrosome region described in light microscope preparations. In the spermatid the dictyosomes fuse, giving rise to the acroblast. Like the dictyosomes, the acroblasts are made up of double-membraned lamellae and associated vacuoles. In addition, a differentiated acrosome region is present which, in some preparations, may display the acrosome vacuole and granule. Both the dictyosomes and acroblasts are distinct from mitochondria.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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