Image of Giardia

Description:

This scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted a Giardia specie intestinal protozoan on the microvillous border of intestinal epithelial cells. Each small circular profile under the protozoan represents the rounded tip of a single microvillous, and it is estimated that 2000 to 3000 microvilli cover the surface of a single intestinal epithelial cell. The ventral adhesive disk, which facilitates adherence to the intestinal surface, can be seen on the underside of the organism.
Created: 1998