As the figure indicates, new ridges may be formed from previous ones,
either by lateral or endwise extension. In such case the walls of the
ridge send out thin waves of hyaloplasm followed by streams of
endoplasm, as described above in the formation of the first ridge on a
pseudopod. When a pseudopod forms a branch, the ridges on the old
pseudopod do not likewise branch, but new ridges are formed which have
no connection with old ones, but they may later coalesce with old
ridges. Such coalescence is however exceptional. Once a ridge is formed,
it retains its identity as a rule; that is, as the ameba moves forward,
the ridge in effect moves back over the ameba to lose itself in the
wrinkles at the posterior end (See Figure 11, _A_). The number of ridges
on any random selection of amebas is variable, and is moreover difficult
to state. A large ameba may have as many as six or seven side by side on
its upper surface. The number on the sides and on the lower surface are
difficult to estimate. The space between ridges is about equal to the
width of the ridges, but as one passes toward the posterior end, the
ridges become more closely crowded together.
From these observations on the formation of ridges it is evident that
they do not represent a wrinkling of the surface such as occurs in a
semi-rigid curved surface when it is made to occupy a smaller space. The
ridges are wrinkles only in appearance, not in origin. The surface of
the ridges is younger than the space between them. It appears as if the
pseudopod which has to widen as it increases in length, could not
liquify the ectoplasm uniformly all around, but only in longitudinal
strips here and there, and that through these openings the ectoplasm
then flows. There is no question about the greater readiness with which
ectoplasm is formed in this ameba as compared with many others, but
after a careful comparison of _proteus_ and _carolinensis_, where ridges
are formed, with _discoides_ (Figure 11, _B_), _dubia_ (Figure 11, _C_),
_laureata_ (Figure 4) and _annulata_, where none are formed, the only
conclusion presenting itself is that the visible physical properties of
the protoplasm of _proteus_ and _carolinensis_ give no hint as to the
cause of the presence of ridges in these species. The protoplasm of
_discoides_ and _laureata_ is about as viscous as that of _proteus_, yet
in these there is never any ridge formation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account