MALPIGHIAN TUBES Meaning and
Definition
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Malpighian tubes are tubular structures that exist in the digestive and excretory systems of certain invertebrate organisms, including insects, arachnids, and some other terrestrial arthropods. These tubes serve as excretory organs, helping to remove waste materials and maintain osmotic balance in the body.
Named after the Italian anatomist Marcello Malpighi, who first described them in 1666, these structures are typically found within the abdominal cavity of these organisms. The number of Malpighian tubes can vary depending on the species, with some insects possessing just two, while others can have a dozen or more.
The primary function of Malpighian tubes is to eliminate metabolic waste products, such as urea and uric acid, as well as excess water and ions from the hemolymph (the invertebrate equivalent of blood). Unlike vertebrates, which use kidneys to filter waste from blood, Malpighian tubes directly collect waste materials from the body cavity and transport them to the digestive tract. This is achieved through active transport, as specialized cells in the walls of these tubes actively transport ions and solutes from the hemolymph into the lumen of the tubes.
The waste materials then mix with the feces within the digestive tract before being expelled from the organism's body. By regulating the concentration of various ions and maintaining osmotic balance, Malpighian tubes play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in these invertebrates.
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Etymology of MALPIGHIAN TUBES
The word "Malpighian tubes" is named after the Italian anatomist Marcello Malpighi. Marcello Malpighi is known for his contributions to the field of anatomy and histology in the 17th century. The Malpighian tubes are small tubular structures found in insects and some other arthropods, which function as part of their excretory system. These tubes were named after Malpighi to honor his significant contributions to the field of anatomy.
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