THE IONIC BASIS OF FLUID SECRETION IN INSECT MALPIGHIAN TUBULES - ADVANCES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS

Current information on the ionic basis of fluid secretion in Malpighia n tubules is reviewed, with the emphasis on electrophysiological data, almost all of which has appeared in the last decade. Different electr ical techniques are compared. Evidence for the various channels, carri ers and pumps thought to be involved in the transport of K, Na, H and Cl ions is discussed. Few insect species have been studied in any deta il, and major differences between them are apparent. Rapid advances ar e anticipated when synthetic diuretic peptides become available for el ectrophysiological studies.