cnidocyte
Sign in to savethumb|Nomarski micrograph of a [[ruthenium red-stained nematocyst from Aiptasia pallida, the pale anemone. The red dye stains the polyanionic venom proteins found inside the capsule of this partially-discharged nematocyst.]]
Article
14 sectionsContents
- Structure and function
- Cnidocyte capsule composition
- Discharge mechanism
- Fluid dynamics in nematocyst discharge
- Prey detection
- Types of cnidae
- Cnidocyte development
- Modes of renewal
- Cnidocyst maturation
- Nematocyst toxicity
- See also
- Notes
- References
- External links
thumb|Nomarski micrograph of a [[ruthenium red-stained nematocyst from Aiptasia pallida, the pale anemone. The red dye stains the polyanionic venom proteins found inside the capsule of this partially-discharged nematocyst.]]
A cnidocyte (also known as a cnidoblast) is a type of cell containing a large secretory organelle called a cnidocyst, that can deliver a sting to other organisms as a way to subdue prey and defend against predators. A cnidocyte explosively ejects the toxin-containing cnidocyst which is responsible for the stings delivered by a cnidarian. The presence of this cell defines the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes the corals, sea anemones, hydrae, and jellyfish. Cnidocytes are single-use cells that need to be continuously replaced.