Water extraction by the major ampullate duct during silk formation in the spider, Argiope aurantia Lucas

Abstract

The water, K+ and Na+ content of naturally produced major ampullate silk as well as silk mechanically drawn from the spider Argiope aurantia have been compared to that of the major ampullate gland. It is demonstrated that water is extracted by the major ampullate duct and that this process is accompanied by an exchange of K+ for Na+. The significance of these observations is discussed.

Department

Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences

Publication Date

1-1-1984

Journal Title

Journal of Insect Physiology

Publisher

Elsevier

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/0022-1910(84)90088-X

Document Type

Article

Rights

Copyright © 1986, Elsevier

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