Scanning electron micrograph,tinted green,of the stinging hairs along the main vein on the under- surface of a stinging nettle leaf,Urtica dioica. The stings are long hairs with silicified tips which break off when the nettle is brushed against or stroked (not grasped). The sting penetrates the skin,injecting a mixture of acetylcholine & hist- amine; the former is a neurotransmitter substance normally produced at nerve terminals,the latter a chemical mediator normally produced by mast cells & responsible for many of the unpleasant symptoms of allergic reactions. Only the long hairs on the leaf are stinging hairs; the short ones are harm- less. Magnification: X 14 at 35mm size. Original is BW print B745/044 | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Burgess, Dr. Jeremy |
Bildgröße: | 2480 px × 3641 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |