Cytostome

This strong association between the cytostome and cytopharynx is often called the cytostome-cytopharynx complex or the cytopharyngeal apparatus.

However, in a small number of cases the cytostome works independently in order to import macromolecules.

One set of microtubules is arranged in a triplet formation and is located directly beneath the cytostome membrane.

A second set of microtubules is positioned directly beneath the flagellar pocket membrane and forms a quartet.

While the shape of the cytopharynx is not constant, it is typically directed towards the posterior of the cell, often hooking around a central nucleus.

The cytostome is located on the anterior end of the cell close to a structure known as the flagellar pocket.

The passage of macromolecules from the entrance of the cytostome to the posterior end of the cytopharynx takes at least 2 minutes.

Eger et al. used gold labeled transferrin molecules in combination with confocal microscopy in order to visualize the cytostome.

[7] Another team used ion beam scanning electron microscopy, also known as FIB-SEM followed by three dimensional reconstruction in order to create a 3-dimensional model of the cytostome-cytopharynx complex.