malpighian tubule

malpighian tubule

      in insects, any of the excretory organs that lie in the abdominal body cavity and empty into the junction between midgut and hindgut. In species having few malpighian tubules, they are long and coiled; in species with numerous (up to 150) tubules, they are short. The tubule cells actively transport initial urine constituents (potassium ions, water, urate ions, sugar, amino acids) into the tubule. In some species urine is acidified in the distal end of the tubule and an aqueous suspension of uric acid crystals is conducted into the rectum, where water and nutrients are reabsorbed. In other species the urine is acidified in the rectum. Certain tubule cells may have special functions, as in the secretion of the sticky substance that surrounds eggs of certain leaf beetles or in the secretion of silk by certain immature beetles.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Malpighian tubule system — Stylised diagram of insect digestive tract showing malpighian tubule (Orthopteran type) The Malpighian tubule system is a type of excretory and osmoregulatory system found in some Uniramia (Insects and Myriapoda), arachnids and tardigrades. The… …   Wikipedia

  • malpighian tubule — noun also malpighian tube or malpighian vessel Usage: usually capitalized M : one of the group of long blind vessels opening into the posterior part of the alimentary canal in most insects and some other arthropods and functioning primarily as… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Malpighian tubule — noun Date: 1877 any of a group of long blind vessels opening into the posterior part of the alimentary canal in most insects and some other arthropods and functioning primarily as excretory organs called also Malpighian tube …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Malpighian tubule — Blind ending tubule opening into the lower intestine of insects and responsible for fluid excretion the arthropod equivalent of the kidney …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • malpighian tubule — noun A tubule that extends from the alimentary canal to the exterior of the organism, excreting water and wastes in the form of solid nitrogenous compounds. Found in certain insects, arachnids, myriapods and tardigrades …   Wiktionary

  • malpighian tubule — one of the tubular or hairlike excretory organs arising from the midgut hindgut junction of many arthropods; two to several hundred such tubules may be present …   Medical dictionary

  • Malpighian tubule — excretory organ found in many arthropods …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Malpighian tubule — noun Zoology a tubular excretory organ, numbers of which open into the gut in insects and some other arthropods …   English new terms dictionary

  • malpighian tube — noun see malpighian tubule * * * one of a group of long, slender excretory tubules at the anterior end of the hindgut in insects and other terrestrial arthropods. Also called Malpighian tubule, Malpighian vessel. * * * Malpighian tube, Malpighian …   Useful english dictionary

  • malpighian vessel — noun see malpighian tubule * * * Malpighian tube, Malpighian tubule, or Malpighian vessel, a tubeshaped gland in insects and arachnids that is connected to the alimentary canal and serves as an excretory organ …   Useful english dictionary

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