The Ultra - fine Structure of Lipid Globules in the Neurones of Helix

The three kinds of lipid globules recognizable in the living neurones of Helix aspersa have been examined under the electron microscope. The globules of the kind that can be stained blue with methylene blue during life are seen in electron micrographs as spheres or spheroids, with concentric lamination, after calcium-osmium fixation. After fixation with sucrose-osmium laminated crescentic bodies are seen instead; these appear to be formed by distortion of the 'blue' globules. The yellow globules contain electrondense material, and sometimes appear reticular. It is possible that the yellow globules may originate by transformation of some of the 'blue' globules. The colourless globules generally appear as crenated objects; this appearance may be a shrinkage artifact. Apart from the mitochondria and the three kinds of lipid globules described, no other object large enough to be identified with the light microscope has been seen in the cytoplasm.