The flaming cell is a hollow cell located in the excretory system of certain invertebrate animals, such as flatworms and rotifers. It is characterized by having a set of cilia that move quickly and serve to propel the waste material to the excretory channels (Fogiel, 2013).
This type of cell called flamboyant are specialized excretory cells that are found in any type of freshwater invertebrate. These invertebrates are known to be the least evolved animals to have an excretory system.
The excretory system of these invertebrate animals has a similar function to that of the kidneys, thanks to the action of protonephridia or clusters of flaming cells, which are responsible for removing waste materials located along the digestive tract of the same (Ursadhip, 2011).
Each flamboyant cell has a nucleated cell body with a cup-shaped projection and flagella covering the inner surface of the cup. The movement of these flagella is similar to the scintillation of a flame, for this reason this type of cells are called flamboyant.
The cup inside the flaming cell is attached to a cell tube, whose interior surface is also lined with cilia that help move liquids inside. The end of this cell tube is located outside the invertebrate body and opens through a nephroporous that allows the excretion of waste.
The main function of flamboyant cells is to regulate the osmotic pressure inside invertebrates, maintaining an ionic balance and controlled water levels.
The microvilli or cilia located in the cell tube cell of the flamboyant cell can be used to reabsorb or filter some ions and water if necessary (Boundless, 2017).
Flatworms or flatworms
Flatworms or flatworms are multicellular organisms that evolved to have internal organs that could regulate the metabolic needs of their bodies.
Some organs evolved individually to be able to exercise the work of the excretory system. They are similar to annelids, although their internal structure is slightly simpler than that of their invertebrate relatives (Buchsbaum, Buchsbaum, Pearse, & Pearse, 1987).
Flatworms are organisms that live in fresh water and have an excretory system composed of two tubules connected to a highly branched duct system. The cells located inside these tubules are known as flaming cells.
The process of excretion of residues in flatworms or flatworms occurs through flamboyant cells or protonephridia (set of flamboyant cells) located inside the main tubules.
This process takes place when groups of cilia located in flaming cells (whose motion is wavy like that of a flame) propel waste matter through the tubules and out of the body through excretory pores that open on the surface. of the body (KV Galaktionov, 2003).
The metabolic residues produced by flatworms are generally excreted in the form of an NH3 (ammonia) -based solution that spreads along the general surface of the worm's body. The flat shape of flatworms helps this propagation process to be more efficient and to be done longitudinally.
Flatworms not only release excrement from their body with the help of flaming cells. These cells are also used to remove excess water in the intestines from the bodies of flatworms, through a filtration process.
Structure
The typical structure of a flaming cell is elongated and mononuclear. Its form evolved in such a way that it allowed to carry out different branched life processes in the surrounding tissues of the cell.
In the center of the flaming cell is an easily observable bulbous bulbous cavity. This cavity is reduced forming a fine capillary duct. The cytoplasm of the cell is located on the periphery of it, containing a round and oval nucleus (Lewin, 2007).
The widest end of the cell lumen encloses a cluster of long cilia or flagella. This cluster of cilia exerts an undulating motion that simulates the flame of a candle.
The structure of the flamboyant cells is longitudinally attached to the excretory tubules. When several flaming cells are united, this cluster is called protonephridia.
Functioning
The working process of flaming cells is based on the processes of filtration and reabsorption. The water located in intercellular spaces is collected by the extension of the plasmalemma (the barrier that limits the interior content of the cell).
Later, the collected water is filtered through thin, column-shaped walls. Once the water is filtered, and free of protein particles, it is moved to the neck of the cell cavity with the help of the cilia that are inside (Sandhu, 2005).
The constant waving movement of the cilia or flagella into the flaming cell cavity produces enough negative pressure to filter fluids. In this way, fluids can pass through the longitudinal and capillary ducts and are discharged with the help of nephropores.
During the process of filtration and movement of fluids, the ions inside the tubules are reabsorbed or secreted. The groups of flamboyant cells or protonephridia play an important role in the regulation of ionic and water levels within flatworms or flatworms.
Earthworms (annelids) have a slightly more evolved excretory system than flatworms. This system is composed of two pairs of nephridia at each end of the worm's body, operating in a similar way to flamboyant cells in that they also have a tubular duct with cilia or flagella inside.
Excretion in the case of earthworms occurs through nephridiopores, which are pores more evolved than those used by flaming cells with the ability to reabsorb substances through capillary networks before excretion.
References
- (2017). Boundless. Retrieved from Flame Cells of Planaria and Nephridia of Worms: boundless.com
- Buchsbaum, R., Buchsbaum, M., Pearse, J., & Pearse, &. V. (1987). Animals Without Backbones. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Fogiel, M. (2013). Biology Problem Solver. New Jersery: Research & Education Association Editors.
- V. Galaktionov, AD (2003). The Biology and Evolution of Trematodes: An Essay on the Biology,. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publisher.
- Lewin, B. (2007). Mississauga: Jones and Bartlett.
- Sandhu, G. (2005). Textbook of Invertebrate Zoology, Volume 1. Campus Books International.
- (2011, 9 4). Make Easy Zoology. Retrieved from Flame cell in Platyhelminthes: ursadhip.blogspot.com.co