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Concept information

Preferred term

nematocysts

Type

  • Topic

Definition

  • Information Nematocysts are the taxon-defining features of all cnidarians including jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals. They are highly sophisticated organelles used for the capture of prey and defense. The nematocyst capsule is produced within a giant post-Golgi vesicle, which is continuously fed by proteins from the secretory pathway. Mature nematocysts consist of a hollow capsule body in which a long tubule is coiled up that, upon discharge, is expelled in a harpoon-like fashion.

Broader concept

In other languages

URI

https://lod.nal.usda.gov/nalt/340864

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RDF/XML TURTLE JSON-LD Created 6/19/20, last modified 10/29/20