An ultrastructural study of the supporting tissues of sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) teeth
Braz. j. morphol. sci
;
20(2): 125-128, May-Aug. 2003. ilus
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-355094
RESUMO
The teeth of sea urchins are connected to the calcareous jaw plates, known as pyramids, by a ligament consisting of collagen fibers and microfibrils synthesized by fibroblasts in the aboral growth zone of the tooth. This ligament needs to be sufficiently stiff to hold the teeth firmly when the animal scrapes hard surfaces, but also needs to be flexible enough to allow the teeth to move outwards during growth. To understand the mechanisms that regulate the growth and stiffness of sea urchin teeth, we have examined the ultrastructural organization of the supporting structures of Lytechinus variegatus teeth. Electron microscopy showed that collagen fibrils were mechanically attached to the jaws was formed by cavities that ramificated in the deep portions. The collagen fibrils were not mechanically linked to the jaws. These findings suggest that the stiffness of the ligament is mediated by chemical bonding between the collagen fibrils and the jaw surface. The cavities present in the pyramids greatly increased the surface area and strengthened the area for the bonding of collagen fibrils.
Full text:
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Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Sea Urchins
/
Tooth
/
Extracellular Matrix
Limits:
Animals
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. morphol. sci
Journal subject:
Anatomy
Year:
2003
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Faculty of Odontology of Piracicaba/BR
/
Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas/BR
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