As usual your essay was interesting, albeit the math was multistories above my head. Regrettably, I lack either of the pumps needed to push the math into my brain. You would not need graph paper to check for expansion: There ain't any.
On a serious note, the last paragraphs on the pump mechanisms, without the daunting math, were the most interesting and graspable to me. Steve
Walter, I'm newly subscribed, and this will be my first comment. Has anyone studied the cells comprising the ants' pharynx and esophagus? Could there be cells whose specialization is to make ingestion easier for them?
The structure of the cibarial and pharyngeal pumps are based on homologous parts across the insects. Muscles attached to the roof of the pump insert on the inside of the head capsule. When these muscles contract, they pull up the roof, creating a vacuum that sucks the fluid in through the mouth. As far as I know, there is nothing special about these muscle cells.
This essay is a deep dive into a tiny world. So much to think about. Thanks!
Walter,
As usual your essay was interesting, albeit the math was multistories above my head. Regrettably, I lack either of the pumps needed to push the math into my brain. You would not need graph paper to check for expansion: There ain't any.
On a serious note, the last paragraphs on the pump mechanisms, without the daunting math, were the most interesting and graspable to me. Steve
If you can understand how a bicycle pump works, you can understand these pumps. And I know you do.
Walter, I'm newly subscribed, and this will be my first comment. Has anyone studied the cells comprising the ants' pharynx and esophagus? Could there be cells whose specialization is to make ingestion easier for them?
The structure of the cibarial and pharyngeal pumps are based on homologous parts across the insects. Muscles attached to the roof of the pump insert on the inside of the head capsule. When these muscles contract, they pull up the roof, creating a vacuum that sucks the fluid in through the mouth. As far as I know, there is nothing special about these muscle cells.
Oh, and I need to add that the cibarium and pharynx are made of elastic cuticle that is closed naturally when the muscles are relaxed.
Amazing - and yes, I remember graph paper!
After all these years, eh?