Images Dated 8th August 2002

Coloured SEM of a marsh slug, Agriolimax laevis

Marsh slug. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a garden or marsh slug (Agriolimax laevis). At centre left is the mantle which is a fold of skin which covers the internal organs. The optical tentacles (top centre & top right corner) can be seen just above the sensory tentacles (upper centre & upper right). The mouth (centre right) includes a tooth covered tongue (radula, not seen here) which it uses like a rasp to grate food. Slugs, unlike snails, have no shell which makes slugs far more agile and hence are a greater threat to crops and plants. This species of slug is often found in gardens and crop fields. Magnification: x14 at 7x5cm size. Magnification: x37 at 7x5ins size

© POWER AND SYRED/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Coloured SEM of the stomach mucosa & gastric pit

Stomach wall. Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of the surface of the fundus region of the human stomach. At centre is a dark opening known as a gastric pit. Under this is the location of the secretory glands that produce digestive enzymes and acids which break down food. Around the gastric pit are a layer of epithelial cells. These cells produce a thick layer of mucus (not seen here) which lines and protects the wall of the stomach from self-digestion. The fundus is the uppermost section of the stomach which, together with the body of the stomach, contains such gastric glands. Magnification: x 1090 at 5x7cm size

© PROF CINTI & V. GREMET/SPL