On the nature of hyaline zones in the cytoplasm of Amoeba proteus

Abstract

Investigations with the Nomarski DIC (differential interferece contrast) microscope and the electron microscope on the nature of hyaline zones in the cytoplasm of Amoeba proteus revealed that these regions represent pure ground cytoplasm. Differences between specimens 1) treated with 2% ethanol, 2) released from high hydrostatic pressure or 3) preincubated at 35 degrees C for 30 minutes could not be observed. Only dying cells undergoing lysis contained a watery solution within the zones of hyaline appearance. The existence of a so-called cell surface complex composed of the plasma membrane and an electron dense filamentous layer of groundplasm was demonstrated by the electron microscopical analysis of narcotized and pre-heated amoebae. This complex corresponds morphologically to the cell surface complexes in tissue cells. Hence it seems possible that the cell surface complex of amoebae is also responsible for changes of the cell shape and movements of the cell membrane. Observations with the DIC microscope also revealed the existence of two types of hyaline caps in A. proteus: in pseudopodia extending during normal locomotion the hyaline cap consists of pure ground cytoplasm, whereas in specimens showing fountain-like streaming the cap is built up by a large vacuole containing a watery fluid.