Conoid
From Palaeos.org
A structure shaped like a truncated cone, located in the apical complex of some Apicomplexa. When present, it is located in the center of the polar rings, with the short narrow end pointing anteriorly. The conoid intermittently protrudes beyond the apical end of the microtubules. Protrusion of the conoid is sensitive to parasite cytoplasmic calcium concentration. The conoid consists of fibers wound into a spiral like a compressed spring. This system of fibers is composed of a novel polymer of tubulin.
[edit] References
Hu, K, DS Roos, & JM Murray (2002), A novel polymer of tubulin forms the conoid of Toxoplasma gondii. J. Cell Biol. 156: 1039–1050.
Credits
ATW?
