An Unusual Arrangement of the Agranular Endoplasmic Reticulum

Abstract

In the epithelial cells of the proximal convolution of the striped snake kidney, the endoplasmic reticulum showing unusual arrangements was observed, which was so far found only in materials sacrificed during hibernation. In the plane of sections two types of profiles are observed; one is the quinque-petalous patterns, considered to be a cross section, and the other is the parallel lamellated structures, a longitudinal section. This endoplasmic reticulum has a close relationship with the small electron dense granules which are considered to be essential to its function, the chemical nature of which is unknown. Functional signigicane of this endoplasmic reticulum is indistinct at present, but it is easily supposed that this structure may represent the unusual cell activity during hibernation.