Ultra-High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies on the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria in Various Muscles: A Review

The three-dimensional structure of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), transverse (T)-axial tubular system and mitochondria in various muscles was examined by means of ultra-high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after removal of the cytoplasmic matrices and myofilaments by the aldehyde-osmium-DMSO-osmium procedure. The striated muscles reviewed and presented are twitch and slow fibers of the frog, twitch and slow fibers of the chicken, twitch extrafusal fibers and intrafusal fibers of the rat, and cardiac muscle fibers of the rat and dog. In all of these striated muscle fibers, T-tubules run transversely and are coupled with terminal cisternae forming triads or dyads. Sarcotubules arising from the terminal cisterna form meshes around the myofibrils. Considerable variations are seen in the local ion of the T-tubules, the structure of the terminal cisternae, the SR and the mitochondria among these muscles. The changes of these organelles in the experimental pathological conditions, (i.e., experimental mitochondrial myopathy and hypertrophic myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats) are also presented. In addition the SR and mitochondria in the smooth muscles of the rodents are described and discussed

The Development of Communication Skills through Recognition and Production of Sounds in a Foreign Language

This paper describes several issues on developing foreign language learners\u27 communication skills by teaching pronunciation in a classroom situation. It discusses the status of Oral Communication classes taught in Japanese high schools and how speaking and pronunciation are treated in it. It presents an example of a pronunciation lesson to promote foreign language learner\u27s better understanding of the English sound system. It includes class description, pronunciation problems, goals, inductive generalization, recognition practice, production practice, and communicative practice

The Role of Linguistic Structure for Communication in a Foreign Language

This paper describes several issues on the role of linguistic structure which is to be taught to foreign language learners to acquire communicative competence in a classroom situation. It explores the issues of pedagogical structure for communication comparing it with the traditional Grammar-Translation Method, the inductive approach to grammar, communicative activities and error treatment. It also briefly discusses cultural and individual differences among language learners. Finally, it presents a structure lesson for an EFL class, which includes class description, linguistic description, materials already taught, behavioral objectives, comprehension questions, attention pointer and contrastive examples, inductive generalization, mechanical, meaningful and communicative exercises, and communicative activities

The Importance of Understanding Issues on Intercultural Communication in Foreign Language Learning

This paper describes several issues on foreign language learning for intercultural communication. It briefly discusses the importance of intermingling cultural issues in teaching foreign languages and the present situation in teaching English as a foreign language in Japan. Taking cultural matters into consideration, it introduces an integrated lesson taught in a language school in Japan. It includes introducing vocabulary, listening comprehension, pronunciation, grammar practice, and communicative activity

Foreign Language Learning and Teaching for Intercultural Communication in Oral Communication Classes

This paper describes several issues on learning and teaching communication in a foreign language. It discusses the present situation of teaching Oral Communication to Japanese high school students. After briefly explaining the necessity of intercultural communication in language learning and teaching, it introduces a listening comprehension lesson in Oral Communication in Japanese high schools. It includes class description, objectives, micro-skills, and procedure