On the distributive patterns of phosphatases and non-specific esterase and their functional aspects amongst the constituents of the photoreceptors of the Indian Medicinal leech, Poecilobdella granulosa (Savigny, 1822).
In the present contribution the distributive pattern of phosphatases and non-specific esterase amongst the constituents of the leech eye has been revealed and the significance of the enzymatic locales in relation to the visual processes has been discussed. All the phosphatases studied demonstrate absence of the activity in the lens. Activity of the phosphatases, however, is restricted to the plasma membrane and associated cytoplasm to varying degrees. The significance of the phosphatases in the nerve impulses and transmission has been highlightened. The observation of considerable significance relates the demonstration of a high degree of non-specific esterase activity in the lens, which has defied all the phosphatases. Another observation relates to the positive activity of 5-nucleotidase in the group of axons constituting optic nerve. The significance of this observation has also been discussed.
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000032:analysis; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004950:Esterases / Q000032:analysis*; D007865:Leeches / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009708:Nucleotidases / Q000032:analysis; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D004950:Esterases; D009708:Nucleotidases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases