False colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a pollen grain from cocksfoot grass,Dactylis glomerata,showing a germinating pore from which a pollen tube emerges. Cocksfoot pollen,a summer grass pollen dispersed by the wind,is a major cause of hay fever (medical term Allergic rhinitis & pollenosis). Sufferers produce a sensitising antibody,immunoglobin E (IgE),which attaches to cells in the nose & eyes. It reacts with inhaled pollen causing the release of various chemicals including histamine. Histamine causes the mucous membranes of the nose,eyes & throat to swell & become inflamed,bringing on the familiar symptoms of hay fever. Magnification: X 530 at 35mm size. original is bw print B786/077 | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Burgess, Dr. Jeremy |
Taille de l’image : | 4387 px × 3972 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |