Images Dated 17th November 2004

Marrow and forget-me-not pollen, SEM

Pollen grains. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a pollen grain from a marrow plant (Cucurbita sp., left) and a forget-me-not plant (Myosotis sp., lower right). Marrow pollen is amongst the largest of any plant, whilst forget-me-not pollen is amongst the smallest. There is great variation in the size, shape and surface texture of pollen. The outer wall (exine) is highly sculpted in many plants, which may assist in dispersal. Each pollen grain contains a male gamete, which fertilises the eggs or ovules, initiating the formation of plant seeds. Magnification: x363 at 6x7cm size

© POWER AND SYRED/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Naegleria fowleri protozoa, TEM

Naegleria fowleri protozoan. Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a section through a Naegleria fowleri protozoan. The nucleus (purple) contains a large nucleolus (orange), in which ribonucleic acid is synthesised. This organism is an opportunistic pathogen of humans, causing meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and its surrounding membranes) when inhaled, often by children swimming in fresh water. Headaches, vomiting, sensory disturbance and a fatal coma may occur if the victim is not treated, often with a combination of antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs. Magnification: x3300 at 6x7cm size

© LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Giant squid

Giant squid (Architeuthis sp.). This sea creature has been the focus of myths and legends for more than two thousand years. Although this cephalopd mollusc does exist, what little is known about it has come from dead specimens that have washed up on shore or captured in nets by fishermen. The giant squid is the largest invertebrate animal in the world and amongst the most complex. It is a deep-ocean dweller, living at depths of 300-600 metres. It is thought to grow to between 17 and 20 metres. An adult has never been seen alive, although it may be possible to capture juveniles and maintain them in an aquarium in order to learn more about this creature's biology and habits

© CHRISTIAN DARKIN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY