The pericardial cells of Drosophila melanogaster.

The infrastructure of the pericardial cells of adult female Drosophila melanogaster is illustrated. The data presented suggest that the pericardial cell internalizes by pinocytosis complex and possibly toxic compounds present in suspension in the haemolymph. These compounds are broken down to soluble molecules within lysosome-like vacuoles. The pericardial cells thus behave like the reticulo-endothelial cells of mammals. Introduction