Summary
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1.
Ellipsoidal to ovoid inclusions in the diatomsRhopalodia gibba andR. gibberula were examined in the electron microscope.
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2.
The inclusions are 4 to 6 microns wide, 5 to 7 microns long and separated from the diatom cytoplasm by a five-layered wall.
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3.
Lamellae about 16 mμ wide and 25 mμ apart occur near the periphery, with oil droplets and aggregations of 18 to 22 mμ particles occurring between them.
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4.
They are neither pyrenoids nor oil bodies.
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5.
They may be unique cell organelles whose function is unknown or possibly modified coccoid blue-green algae.
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6.
The cytoplasm of the two species ofRhopalodia resembles that of other diatoms.
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Drum, R.W., Pankratz, S. Fine structure of an unusual cytoplasmic inclusion in the diatom genus,Rhopalodia . Protoplasma 60, 141–149 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01248136
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01248136