The physiology of the woodlouse, Porcellio laevis Latreille (Porcellionidae, Peracarida). I. Studies on the gut epithelium cytology and its relation to the maltase secretion

Abstract

Some of the characteristics of the maltase extracted from the Porcellio laevis midgut are described, and evidence is presented to show that in addition to the digestive caeca, the epithelial cells of the gut also play an important part in the secretion of this enzyme. The process of the production of cytoplasmic extrusions, somewhat similar to that which in the past has been described as evidence of holocrine secretion, is demonstrated to be a response to starvation.The significance of these findings is discussed.