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Investigations on osmotic regulation in the parasitic nematode, Aspiculuris tetraptera Schulz

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

A. O. Anya
A. O. Anya
Affiliation:
The Molteno Institute of Biology and Parasitology, University of Cambridge
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Extract

In the mouse pinworm, Aspiculuris tetraptera, the basic features of the process of osmotic regulation is similar to the process in other nematodes such as Parascaris equorum, Rhabditis terrestris and Hammerschmidtiella diesingi. The ability to osmoregulate is, however, utilized more effectively in a hypertonic than in a hypotonic solution.

The body fluid is isotonic with 35 % sea water. The relative accuracy of this value is confirmed by direct measurements of the depression of freezing point of the body fluid. This is approximately 0.68–0.69 °C, which is approximately 0.12 % NaCl, which is higher than the value for Ascaris (= 0.655 °C).

My thanks are due to Dr D. L. Lee for helpful discussions on some aspects of this study.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 56 , Issue 3 , August 1966 , pp. 583 - 588
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1966

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References

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