GG cilia have GC-G

image by Cambrian Liu

Many cells from all eras of evolution, from bacteria to humans, possess specialized tails called cilia that can perform a variety of functions. In bacteria, cilia can be used to provide locomotion and structural support. In zebrafish, cilia are used to model organs asymmetrically during the development of the animal. The image shows a specialized set of neurons (in green) in the mouse's nose called the Grueneberg ganglion. These neurons, which are thought to be involved in the sense of smell, possess cilia (in red) that house proteins directly involved in sensing smells from the surrounding environment. Unlike cilia found in other neurons, which stick out from the cell surface, the cilia of the Grueneberg ganglion follow the contour of the cell, giving a "wrap-around" impression.