Solenocyte

<p>In biology, solenocytes are elongated, <a href="/facts/Flagellate/0XWJTXX6">flagellated cells</a> commonly found in lower invertebrates, such as flatworms (phylum <a href="/facts/Platyhelminthes/lvqbrb2V">Platyhelminthes</a>), chordates (sub-phylum <a href="/facts/Cephalochordate/q1qQ98wI">Cephalochordata</a>) and several other animal species. In terms of function, solenocytes play a significant role in the <a href="/facts/Excretory/mspsTfnv">excretory</a> systems of their host organism(s). For example, the lancelets, also referred to as amphioxus (genus <i><a href="/facts/Branchiostoma/JuEljDJh">Branchiostoma</a></i>), utilize solenocytic <a href="/facts/Protonephridia/YdMaNPHn">protonephridia</a> to perform excretion. In addition to excretion, these cells contribute to ion regulation and <a href="/facts/Osmoregulation/zXEhVwD4">osmoregulation</a>. With this in mind, solenocytes form subtypes of protonephridium and are often compared to another specialized excretory cell type, i.e., <a href="/facts/Flame_cell/vlMquIpp">flame cells</a>. Solenocytes have flagella, while flame cells are generally ciliated.
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Solenocyte open-in-new

Solenocyte