Figure 5
Transmission electron micrographs of invading P. knowlesi merozoites illustrating undamaged structures. (a) Apical end of a merozoite newly attached to a RBC prior to tight junction formation; dense granules (Dg), a rhoptry (Rhop) and micronemes (Mnme) are visible. (b) Apically attached merozoites sectioned to one side of the central axis and showing microtubules (Mt) and the polar rings (PoR) in the apical prominence. (c) Merozoite in the early stage of attachment prior to apical contact; the area within the box is enlarged in (d) to show normal structure, with the plasma membrane (PlasM) with its external coat and the inner membrane complex (IMC) overlying the nucleus, showing no loss of structural integrity. For detailed parameters of imaging acquisition see supplemental methods.
