Explore Brain Lining, Ciliary Hairs, and more!
Brain lining. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the lining of the brain, showing the ciliary hairs (orange) of ependymal cells. Ependymal cells are a type of neuroglia (glial cells) that line the ventricles of the brain and produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF has a number of functions, including buffering the brain from shock, transporting hormones around the brain and absorbing waste products. The ciliary hairs are used to help circulate the CSF. Magnification: x2000 when…
Brain lining. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the lining of the brain, showing the ciliary hairs (orange) of ependymal cells. Ependymal cells are a type of neuroglia (glial cells) that line the ventricles of the brain and produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF has a number of functions, including buffering the brain from shock, transporting hormones around the brain and absorbing waste products. The ciliary hairs are used to help circulate the CSF. Magnification: x2000 when…
Inner ear hair cells. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of sensory hair cells from the inner ear. These cells are surrounded by a fluid called endolymph. As sound enters the ear it causes waves to form in the endolymph, which in turn cause the hairs to move. The movement is converted to an electrical signal that is passed on to the brain. Each crescent-shaped arrangement of hairs lies atop a single cell.
Inner ear hair cells. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of sensory hair cells from the inner ear. These cells are surrounded by a fluid called endolymph. As sound enters the ear it causes waves to form in the endolymph, which in turn cause the hairs to move. The movement is converted to an electrical signal that is passed on to the brain. Each crescent-shaped arrangement of hairs lies atop a single cell.
We can hear because of clusters of specialized cilia (green) in the inner ear, called stereocilia. These actin-rich bundles protrude from the apical surface of hair cells lining the inner ear and vibrate in response to sound waves. In this image a single bundle of stereocilia projects from the epithelium of the papilla, a sensory patch in amphibian ears.
We can hear because of clusters of specialized cilia (green) in the inner ear, called stereocilia. These actin-rich bundles protrude from the apical surface of hair cells lining the inner ear and vibrate in response to sound waves. In this image a single bundle of stereocilia projects from the epithelium of the papilla, a sensory patch in amphibian ears.
Nerve broken open, revealing vesicles containing neurotransmitters.
Nerve broken open, revealing vesicles containing neurotransmitters.
Resin cast of arteries in the brain
Golgi apparatus in a cell.
Dividing brain cancer cells. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a cancerous astrocyte brain cell that has just undergone cytokinesis (cell division). The cells are still attached by a cytoplasmic bridge (lower right). Magnification: x4000 when printed 10 centimetres wide. Credit: STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Dividing brain cancer cells. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a cancerous astrocyte brain cell that has just undergone cytokinesis (cell division). The cells are still attached by a cytoplasmic bridge (lower right). Magnification: x4000 when printed 10 centimetres wide. Credit: STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Baroque Blood Vessels. Credit: Alfonso Rodríguez-Baeza and Marisa Ortega-Sánchez, 2009.A scanning electron microscope (SEM) image zooms in on the baroque branching structures that send blood to the human brain's cortex. The vessels are organized such that the large blood vessels surround the surface of the brain (top of image), sending thin, dense projections down into the depths of the cortex (bottom of image).
Baroque Blood Vessels. Credit: Alfonso Rodríguez-Baeza and Marisa Ortega-Sánchez, 2009.A scanning electron microscope (SEM) image zooms in on the baroque branching structures that send blood to the human brain's cortex. The vessels are organized such that the large blood vessels surround the surface of the brain (top of image), sending thin, dense projections down into the depths of the cortex (bottom of image).
Iris pigment epithelium. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a section through the iris of an eye, showing the iris pigment epithelium (IPE). The IPE is a layer of cuboidal cells (pink) that lies behind the iris. Each cell contains numerous large melanosomes (blue), which contain the pigment melanin. The concentration of this melanin is one of the factors that determine the colour of a person's eye. Magnification: x3,300 when printed 10 centimetres wide.
Iris pigment epithelium. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a section through the iris of an eye, showing the iris pigment epithelium (IPE). The IPE is a layer of cuboidal cells (pink) that lies behind the iris. Each cell contains numerous large melanosomes (blue), which contain the pigment melanin. The concentration of this melanin is one of the factors that determine the colour of a person's eye. Magnification: x3,300 when printed 10 centimetres wide.
Staphylococcus sp. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a colony of Staphylococcus sp. bacteria on the epithelial cells of the trachea. The trachea (windpipe) is lined with cilia (hair- like projections) which help keep it free of dust and other irritants. These Gram-positive bacteria often appear in groups that resemble clusters of grapes (as here)
Staphylococcus sp. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a colony of Staphylococcus sp. bacteria on the epithelial cells of the trachea. The trachea (windpipe) is lined with cilia (hair- like projections) which help keep it free of dust and other irritants. These Gram-positive bacteria often appear in groups that resemble clusters of grapes (as here)
Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a sweat gland pore (yellow) opening onto the surface of a human palm. Sweat pores bring sweat from a sweat gland to the skin surface. The sweat evaporates, removing heat and playing a vital role in cooling the body and preventing it from overheating. Skin cells can be seen flaking off the skin around the pore opening. Sweat pores vary in shape and size over the body. Magnification: x370 when printed 10 centimetres wide.
Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a sweat gland pore (yellow) opening onto the surface of a human palm. Sweat pores bring sweat from a sweat gland to the skin surface. The sweat evaporates, removing heat and playing a vital role in cooling the body and preventing it from overheating. Skin cells can be seen flaking off the skin around the pore opening. Sweat pores vary in shape and size over the body. Magnification: x370 when printed 10 centimetres wide.
☤ MD ☞ ☆☆☆ These cells line the Choroid Plexus, a layer of tissue that lines the inside of the ventricles of the nervous system. The swollen tips of these cells secrete the cerebrospinal fluid which bathes the brain in glucose and proteins, and prevents it from collapsing under its own weight.
☤ MD ☞ ☆☆☆ These cells line the Choroid Plexus, a layer of tissue that lines the inside of the ventricles of the nervous system. The swollen tips of these cells secrete the cerebrospinal fluid which bathes the brain in glucose and proteins, and prevents it from collapsing under its own weight.
Lung cancer cell division. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a lung cancer cell during cell division (cytokinesis). The two daughter cells remain temporarily joined by a cytoplasmic bridge (centre). Cancer cells divide rapidly in a chaotic, uncontrolled manner. They may clump to form tumours, which invade and destroy surrounding tissues.
Lung cancer cell division. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a lung cancer cell during cell division (cytokinesis). The two daughter cells remain temporarily joined by a cytoplasmic bridge (centre). Cancer cells divide rapidly in a chaotic, uncontrolled manner. They may clump to form tumours, which invade and destroy surrounding tissues.
A macrophage white blood cell (centre) engulfs and destroys bacteria (orange) and spews out the remnants.
A macrophage white blood cell (centre) engulfs and destroys bacteria (orange) and spews out the remnants.
Blood clot. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a blood clot from the inner wall of the left ventricle of a human heart. Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are trapped within a fibrin protein mesh (cream). The fibrin mesh is formed in response to chemicals secreted by platelets (pink), fragments of white blood cells. Clots are formed in response to cardiovascular disease or injuries to blood vessels. Connective tissue (orange) is also seen.
Blood clot. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a blood clot from the inner wall of the left ventricle of a human heart. Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are trapped within a fibrin protein mesh (cream). The fibrin mesh is formed in response to chemicals secreted by platelets (pink), fragments of white blood cells. Clots are formed in response to cardiovascular disease or injuries to blood vessels. Connective tissue (orange) is also seen.
Cancer cell division. Each little bump is a small part of the cell trying to divide again...this is why cancer is "uncontrolled growth"
Cancer cell division. Each little bump is a small part of the cell trying to divide again...this is why cancer is "uncontrolled growth"
