AExcFIG 2: Anterior excretory cell structure during aging.

AExcFIG 2: Anterior excretory cell structure during aging.

A. Diagram of the C. elegans head showing the approximate positions of photomicrographs B,C&D by a shaded box in the anterior portion of the pharynx just past the buccal cavity.
B,C,D,H,J.
Transverse sections from a young adult (B), day 7 adult (C) and day 15 adult (D,H,J). The excretory canals are bilaterally situated on either side of the body, colored in pink. In young adults, the canals are smooth at the apical border. In older adults, this border becomes disorganized, with a ruffled appearance.
E,F,G,I,K,L
. Closeups of individual excretory canals as shown. Canaliculi and lumen (L) are indicated. E. White brackets indicate gap junctions between excretory and neighboring cells. Several excretory cells in the older adults have multiple lumens (F,K,L). In the day 15 animal, the lumen and canaliculi are well-maintained but the apical borders are highly disorganized and ruffled.
B,C,J. Bar, 5 microns. K,L. Bar, 1 micron. (Image sources: B&E: N510 [D. Hall] V776, V777, V778, C&F: N822 [D. Hall] 4662, D&G: N813 [D. Hall] G538; H: N813 [D. Hall] G469; I: N813 [D. Hall] G473; J,K: N813 [D. Hall] G501; L: N813 [D. Hall] G506).

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