Abstract
The environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) has been used to image the adhesive secreted by zoospores of the marine alga Enteromorpha as they settle on a surface, under natural, hydrated conditions. Results reveal a featureless, swollen gel-like adhesive pad, in contrast to the fibrillar character of the adhesive when imaged by standard SEM. At high spore densities the adhesive is confluent. Dynamic hydration/dehydration events were followed by changing the water vapour pressure in the sample chamber. Rapid hydration and swelling were observed indicating a very hygroscopic material. Adhesive footprints were detected when surfaces from which spores had been removed by water jetting were examined. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 315-321 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2003 |
Keywords
- spores
- adhesive
- environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM)
- marine algae
- cell adhesion