What is the Difference Between Flame Cells and Solenocytes

The main difference between flame cells and solenocytes is that flame cells contain cilia, whereas solenocytes contain flagella. 

Flame cells and solenocytes are two specialized excretory cells. In addition to excretion, they contribute to ion regulation and osmoregulation.    

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Flame Cells
– Definition, Facts, Features
2. What are Solenocytes
– Definition, Facts, Features
3. Similarities Between Flame Cells and Solenocytes
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Flame Cells and Solenocytes
– Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Flame Cells and Solenocytes
– Answers to frequently asked questions

Key Terms  

Flame Cells, Solenocytes

What are Flame Cells

Flame cells are a type of specialized cells for excretion. The function of the flame cells is like a kidney. It contains a nucleated cell body. Also, it contains a cup-shaped projection that covers the flagella. The beating of the flagella resembles a flame. A tube cell coated in cilia attaches to the cup-shaped projection. The cilia in the tube cell allow the movement of liquid through the tube cell. The nephropore is the external opening of the tube cell. But in trematode, the external opening of the tube cell occurs into the excretory bladder.

Importantly, the function of the tube cell is to regulate the osmotic pressure. Also, it maintains the ionic balance. The molecules to be excreted enter into the tubule through the gap of the flame cell and then enter the tube cell. Significantly, flame cells occur in the simplest freshwater invertebrates, such as rotifers, nemerteans, and flatworms.  

What are Solenocytes

Solenocytes are another type of excretory cells that contain flagella. Also, elongated cells occur in lower invertebrates, including flatworms and chordates. As an example, solenocytic protonephridia perform excretion in lancelets. Other functions of solenocytic cells include ion and osmoregulation.

Clusters of Solenocytes

Further, solenocytes derive from the mesoderm. They show a significant morphological diversity from other cells. They contain a cytoplasmic cap enclosing the cell body in the nucleus. The cell body attaches to a long tubule in the intracellular lumen. 

Similarities Between Flame Cells and Solenocytes

• Flame cells and solenocytes are two excretory cell types in lower invertebrates.
• They contribute to osmoregulation and ion regulation.
• Flagella occurs in both types of excretory cells. 

Difference Between Flame Cells and Solenocytes

Definition

Flame cells refer to hollow cells that have a tuft of vibratile cilia and a part of some lower invertebrate excretory systems, while solenocytes refer to any of various modified tubular flagellated cells occurring in the nephridia of the larvae of some annelids, mollusks, and rotifers and a few lancelets.

Flagella/Cilia

Flame cells contain cilia, while solenocytes contain flagella.

Occurrence 

Flame cells occur in the simplest freshwater invertebrates, such as rotifers, nemerteans, and flatworms, while solenocytes occur in flatworms, some chordates, and lancelets.

FAQ: Flame Cells and Solenocytes

What are the examples of solenocytes?

The simplest freshwater invertebrates, including rotifers, flatworms, and nemerteans, contain flame cells known as solenocytes. They are specialized types of excretory cells. 

Are solenocytes found in Amphioxus?

Amphioxus contains excretory organs called splenocytes. They have segmentally arranged structures occurring throughout the pharyngeal region. The other two components of the excretory organs of amphioxus include the renal tubule and the renal glomerulus.  

Are flame cells found in Cephalochordata?

The excretory organ of flatworms is the flame cell. It also occurs in rotifers, some annelids, and Amphioxus. Flatworms are unsegmented worms with a bilateral symmetry.  

Conclusion

In brief, flame cells and solenocytes are two specialized excretory organs. Both contain flagella. Flame cells occur in the simplest invertebrates, including rotifers, nemerteans, and flatworms. Apart from flagella, flame cells contain cilia. In comparison, solenocytes are another specialized excretory organ type that occurs in flatworms, lancelets, and some chordates. They only contain flagella. Therefore, the main difference between flame cells and solenocytes is their occurrence.            

References:

1. Flame cellssolenocytes are main excretory structures of Biology Q&A (a) annelids (b) molluscs (c) platyhelminthes (D) echinodermates. byju. (n.d.). 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Flame Cell of Planarian” (CC-BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Clusters of Solenocytes” By Harmer, Sidney Frederic, 1862-; Shipley, A. E. (Arthur Everett), Sir, 1861-1927 – Image from page 150 of “The Cambridge natural history” (1895),(CC0) via Commons Wikimedia