ACutFIG 2: Scanning electron micrographs (SEMs) of young and old C. elegans showing increased wrinkling in the cuticle.

ACutFIG 2A-D: Scanning electron micrographs (SEMs) of young and old C. elegans showing increased wrinkling in the cuticle.

A&C. Head and body regions, respectively, of young adult animals.
B&D.
Head and body regions of older adults showing wrinkled appearance of the cuticle (cf. Hall et al., 1999)
The image of the cuticle from an older animal shown here reveals minimal to modest wrinkling, but often one finds local regions with much deeper wrinkles, regardless of fixation protocol or whether viewed by SEM or TEM, suggesting that deep wrinkling is not a technical artifact.
(Image source: S. Melov.)

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