Dictyosomes, Lysosomes, Spherosomes, and Microbodies

The plastids and the mitochondria are not the only cytoplasmic particles present in the cell, although at present they are the best understood. Among the cell parts that are also present in the cytoplasm are the dictyosomes. They were first seen by Camillio Golgi, an Italian cytologist working at the turn of the present century, and so they are frequently called Golgi bodies. Golgi described particular staining bodies in nerve cells. The true nature and existence of these bodies was a matter of scientific controversy that lasted for nearly 50 years. Some cytologists believed they were authentic components of the cell, and others were equally certain they were artifacts of preparation. Only observations made with the electron microscope demonstrated the universal existence of dictyosomes in both plant and animal cells.