Secretory activities of plasmatocytes and oenocytoids during the moulting cycle in an insect (Rhodnius).
Plasmatocytes in Rhodnius appear to be the chief source of the basement membrane (basal lamina) of the abdominal epidermis. The membrane increases three-fold in thickness while the cells are applied to its surface, from 4 to 9 days after feeding. At this time irregular deposits of membrane substance appear, applied to the membrane in the vicinity of plasmatocytes. Many small vesicles perhaps undergoing exocytosis are seen at the surface of the plasmatocytes in contact with the basement membrane (basal limina). The large granular inclusions of the plasmatocytes are dispersed and their contents appear to provide the substance of the basement membrane, which has the same staining properties as these inclusions.
D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007313:Insecta / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure