Blood of a Cockroach: Unusual Cellular Behavior

Abstract

In blood smears of a cockroach a small cell occurs which is frequently paired with a larger anucleate cytoplasmic body. The larger body in such pairs is free of nucleic acid, but contains polysaccharides, as demonstrated by the periodic acid-Schiff reaction. At one extreme of a series of these associations, the cell is completely distinct from the cytoplasmic body. At the other extreme the nucleus of the cell is within and apparently a part of the larger body. A graded series of pairs suggests a mechanism resembling phagocytosis in which the cytoplasmic body either gains or regains cell status by retaining the nucleus of the ingested member.