Age Variations in Cortical Membranes of Rotifers

Electron micrographs were made of rotifers of known ages embedded in Vestopal and stained with lead hydroxide. In epithelial cells lining the gut of the rotifer, anatomical continuity is seen between the cell membrane, the cortical membranes, and the rough endoplasmic reticulum at the basal region of the cells. At their luminal surface, these cells possess a terminal web, and colloidal gold is taken up via food vacuoles at this surface. Such pinocytosis does not occur on the peripheral or distal surface (pseudocoelomic) of these cells. Exposure of rotifers to adenine inhibits the formation of cortical infoldings of the cell membrane and the formation of the rough reticulum, whereas the ribosomes and the Golgi apparatus appear to be unaffected. The suggestion is made that the rough reticulum may be derived from modifications of the cell membrane and that the rate of formation of the rough reticulum in adult and elderly rotifers is lower than in the actively growing animal.