Biology of the Arthropod Cuticle

Water balance in land arthropods

Publisher Summary This chapter takes a view of biogenic amines in the insect nervous system and to assess critically the evidence for their roles as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and neurohormones. It attempts to answer several questions such as where biogenic amines are located in the insect nervous system; how are they synthesized and inactivated; and what physiological roles do they perform and how do they bring about their effects. Particular emphasis is placed on the correlation of biochemical, physiological, pharmacological and anatomical information from systems containing identified aminergic neurones. The chapter points out instances where data from one or more of the approaches is either missing or conflicts with that from another and suggests experiments to resolve these points. The function of biogenic amines in the insect nervous system has been compared with that in the vertebrate nervous system. In this context the chapter mentions the role of biogenic amines as chemical messengers in the vertebrate nervous system.

Biogenic Amines in the Insect Nervous System

Lipids of the insect cuticle: origin, composition and function

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the metabolism of α,α-trehalose. The chapter outlines the various reactions that have been shown to be involved in the metabolism of trehalose. The other isomers of trehalose containing D-glucopyranose—that is, α,β-trehalose and β,β-trehalose have been synthesized chemically. However, except for a few rare cases, these isomers of trehalose do not appear to be naturally occurring. The mechanism of biosynthesis of α,α-trehalose. To determine the role of trehalose in Mycobacterium the levels of free and “bound” (that is, lipid-associated) trehalose and glycogen during growth of Mycobacterium smegmutis under various conditions of nitrogen limitation is examined. Whereas the glycogen levels increased markedly as the nitrogen content of the medium was lowered, the levels of trehalose remained fairly constant. The results of labeling studies suggested that the free trehalose in these cells may be utilized for purposes except as an energy reserve, whereas glycogen is probably stored mainly as a reserve. Synthesis and degradation of trehalose constitute a mechanism for the resorption of D-glucose in the kidney and, perhaps, also in the intestine. It has also been suggested that trehalose—like another naturally occurring, nonreducing disaccharide, sucrose—could function in the movement of carbohydrate, .i.e., as a translocate in plants or insects, or both.

The Metabolism of α,α-Trehalose*

The fine structure of the spermathecae and their ducts in the mosquito Aedes aegypti.

Experimental studies upon a bundle of tonic fibres in the locust extensor tibialis muscle

The cuticular lipids of the larva of Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera)

A study of soluble esterases in Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera)

The utilization of sugars by insect cells in culture

A.N. Clements

Papers

The fine structure of the spermathecae and their ducts in the mosquito Aedes aegypti.

Experimental studies upon a bundle of tonic fibres in the locust extensor tibialis muscle

The cuticular lipids of the larva of Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera)

A study of soluble esterases in Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera)

The utilization of sugars by insect cells in culture