False colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a pollen grain attached to the stigma of the cocksfoot grass,Dactylis glomerata. Cocksfoot pollen,a summer grass pollen dispersed by the wind,is a major cause of hay fever (medical name Allergic rhinitis & pollenosis). Hay fever suffer- ers produce a sensitising antibody,immunoglobin E (IgE),which attaches to the surface of cells in the nose & eyes. It reacts with inhaled pollen (an allergen) causing the release of various chemic- als including histamine. Histamine causes the muc- ous membranes of the nose,eyes & throat to swell & become inflamed,bringing on the symptoms of hay fever. Magnification: X385 at 35mm size. original is bw print B786/072 | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Burgess, Dr. Jeremy |
Taille de l’image : | 3368 px × 4770 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |