Absorptive and secretory behaviour of cells

Abstract

A variety of experimental techniques including radioactive tracers, microelectrode recording and electron microscopy have been used to study the absorptive and secretory behaviour of cells. These methods have been used in the work reported here. The presented publications cover the period 1965-80 when I investigated questions concerning water and ion transport in isolated tissues of plants and animals. During this period the emphasis of interest has shifted from aspects of active and passive transfer across cellular layers to the problems associated with the activation of gland cells by neurotransmitters.The papers submitted have been grouped into four chapters dealing with plant roots, amphibian and piscine epithelia, a general review of water movement across biological and artificial membranes, and finally, the development and properties of a new preparation for the study of neuroglandular transmission. Each chapter is preceded by a brief summary.The Appendix contains a list of additional papers whose presentation in this thesis seemed inappropriate.