title: Histoenzymatic pattern of adenosine triphosphatase in the different components of the alimentary canal in some common earthworms and its possible physiological significance.
abstract: The present contribution incorporates an account of the distribution of adenosine triphosphatase and its functional role in various regions of the alimentary canal of Pheretima posthuma and Barogaster annandalei. The main areas, showing adenosine triphosphatase activity in P. posthuma are sub-epithelial blood vessels in pharynx, peri-oesophageal blood vessels in oesophagus, columnar epithelial cells of gizzard and in the areas outside the typhlosole and around the supra-intestinal excretory ducts. In B. annandalei the epithelial cells of gizzard show significant enzymatic localization. In addition to this, enzymatic activity has also been found in the deeply embedded blood vessels of buccal region, peri-oesophageal vasculature, sub-epithelial vasculature of typhlosole and intestine, and in the adjoining chloragogen cells. Physiological significance of the enzymatic pattern has been discussed.
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004064:Digestive System / Q000201:enzymology*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases