Histological and histochemical observations on the foot glands in some byssus-bearing bivalves of the Waltair coast.
The glands responsible for the formation of the byssus threads in Arca symmetrica, Barbatia obliquata and Septifer bilocularis are the white gland, phenol gland and enzyme gland. Besides these, mucous glands are also present in the sub-epithelia. The size and shape of the cells of these glands vary in one and the same species. From histochemical investigations it has been revealed that these glands contain 1,2-glycol groups in addition to disulphides and sulphhydryls. The white gland secretes a protein material and the phenol gland is rich in phenols. These two combine to form a phenolic protein which is acted upon by a polyphenol oxidase secreted by the enzyme gland and leads to the formation of a byssus thread. The mucous gland cells secrete acid mucopolysaccharides, neutral mucins and glycoproteins.
D000818:Animals; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008974:Mollusca / Q000032:analysis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis
D006023:Glycoproteins; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D009077:Mucins; D010636:Phenols