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Generation and Long-term Maintenance of Nerve-free Hydra
Published on: July 7, 2017
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Experimental dissociation of cells from hydra
Somes Sanyal1, Sivatosh Mookerjee1
1Department of Zoology, Presidency College, Calcutta, India.
Wilhelm Roux' Archiv Fur Entwicklungsmechanik Der Organismen
|March 30, 2017
Summary
Hydra cells, when dissociated, reveal that only endodermal nutritive muscular cells exhibit amoeboid movement. This study details cell behavior and intracellular components, offering insights into hydra
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Zoology
Background:
- Hydra possess remarkable regenerative and morphallactic capabilities.
- Understanding cellular behavior post-dissociation is key to comprehending tissue organization and regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavior and morphology of individual Hydra cell types after mechanical dissociation.
- To describe the intracellular contents and surface properties of isolated Hydra cells.
- To correlate cellular characteristics with the organism's overall form and morphallactic power.
Main Methods:
- Mechanical dissociation of Hydra tissue under cover-glass pressure.
- Observation of isolated cells in hanging drop chambers.
- Microscopic analysis of cell morphology, movement, and intracellular structures.
Main Results:
- Most dissociated Hydra cells round up, except for nutritive muscular cells of the endoderm, which display amoeboid movement.
- Pseudopodium formation involves ectoplasmic protrusions followed by endoplasm flow.
- Detailed descriptions of intracellular contents for various cell types are provided.
Conclusions:
- Nutritive muscular cells are identified as the primary motile cell type in dissociated Hydra.
- Cellular properties such as surface rigidity and attachment influence cell shape and behavior post-dissociation.
- Findings contribute to understanding the cellular basis of Hydra's morphallactic capacity and form regulation.

