Spatial Difference in pH in Lucilia cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Pericardial Cells

摘要

Lucilia cuprina pericardial cells are primarily involved in the filtration of hemolymph. Ratio images using fluorescent pH indicator, DM-Nerf, were collected using a confocal microscope. The results support suggestions that there is zonation of cellular activity that reflect organelle distribution. Statistical analysis of the excitation ratios indicate significant spatial differences in pH of the three major zones- cortex, vacuole zone and endoplasm in pericardial cells. The outer cortex was estimated to have a pH between 5.5 and 6.8, the vacuole zone between 4.5 and 5.5 and the endoplasm between 4.0 and 5.0.