OXYGEN UPTAKE OF MUSCLE HOMOGENATES FROM THREE SPECIES OF INSECTS, IN THE PRESENCE OF ADDED SUCCINATE, CYTOCHROMEc, AND PHOSPHATE

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Abstract
The oxidation of sodium succinate by muscle homogenates prepared from the leg muscles of adult cockroaches [Periplaneta americana (L.)] and thoracic muscles of adult beetles (Tenebrio molitor L.) and adult flies (Sarcophaga bullata Parker) was studied. Oxygen consumption at 30 °C. was measured in standard Warburg flasks. The standard conditions required for optimum activity were first established for each species studied. Activity was highest in the muscle of T. molitor, intermediate in S. bullata and males of P. americana, and lowest in females of P. americana. The difference between the sexes of P. americana was highly significant. A difference associated with sex was not observed in the other species examined. Significant differences attributable to age were not observed for P. americana or T. molitor adults, but a systematic increase in activity was observed during the early adult life of S. bullata; this was associated with the development of the thoracic muscle.