Cell division and ciliogenesis in the ciliated epithelium of the pharynx and esophagus of the tadpole of the green frog, Rana clamitans

Abstract

All phases of mitosis have been observed in the ciliated cells of the pharynx and esophagus of the tadpole of the green frog, Rana clamitans. Centrosomes have been observed in ciliated cells. These data contravene the hypothesis of Lenhossék and Henneguy to the effect that ciliated cells cannot divide by mitosis because they have lost their centrosomes in the formation of the basal corpuscles to which the cilia are connected, and the corollary to this hypothesis (Jordan, '13), that in consequence ciliated cells must divide by amitosis. From counts of cells with cilia, those without cilia but with basal corpuscles, and those without either cilia or basal corpuscles in different phases of mitosis, it is inferred that the cilia are lost during mitosis.Cilia sprout from basal corpuscles, and not from mitochondria in cells undergoing ciliogenesis. From the presence of diplosomes in the distal region of cells in which basal corpuscles are developing, it is assumed that the basal corpuscles arise by partition of the centrosome of the preciliated cell. The centrosome, however, does not become completely lost by reason of this process, but retains enough vitality to insure mitosis. Amitosis, which occurs in some of the ciliated cells, results, according to these data, from degree of differentiation, not from structural deficiency.