The Exchange of Labelled Sodium in the Larva of Aedes Aegypti L.

Abstract

1. The exchange of labelled sodium between the external medium and the haemolymph and whole body has been investigated in the larva of Aedes aegypti. The time for half exchange was of the order of 62 hr. 2. It was found that most of the exchange of labelled sodium occurred through the anal papillae, although smaller amounts enter the haemolymph through the gut and general body surface. Transfer constants have been used to describe the resultant turnover of labelled sodium in the whole system. 3. The rate of uptake of sodium was independent of the external concentrations used in these experiments. 4. Potassium ions do not compete with sodium for uptake, which suggests that separate mechanisms are responsible for the accumulation of these two ions. 5. Larvae were able to retain the sodium in the haemolymph, with relatively little loss, in glass-distilled water. 6. The effect of temperature on the rate of uptake of labelled sodium has been investigated.