The trap of the carnivorous plant Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) catches prey by very rapid closure of its modified leaves. After the rapid closure secures the prey, repeated mechanical stimulation of trigger hairs by struggling prey and the generation of action potentials (APs) result in secretion of digestive fluid. Once the prey's movement stops, the secretion is maintained by chemical st...

Knowledge of specific enzyme activity, along with animal habits and digestive capacity is essential in formulating an appropriate diet for any species. In this study, we evaluated and characterized the activity of digestive enzymes present in the liver, intestine, and stomach of Paralichthys orbignyanus. The effects of pH and temperature on enzyme activity were also evaluated via the use of spe...

The intertidal mussel Mytilus californianus is a critical foundation species that is exposed to fluctuations in the environment along tidal- and wave-exposure gradients. We investigated feeding and digestion in mussels under laboratory conditions and across environmental gradients in the field. We assessed whether mussels adopt a rate-maximization (higher ingestion and lower assimilation) or a ...

Two enzymes having lactase activity are present in the equine small intestine. The first, the digestive enzyme, neutral beta-galactosidase, declines in activity from birth to three years, disappearing completely between 3 and 4 years of age. The other, the soluble lysosomal enzyme, acid beta-galactosidase, having affinity for lactose and a synthetic beta-galactoside, shows a decrease in activit...

background: we aimed at evaluating the toxicity effects of low (subtoxic) concentrations of silver nanoparticles (agnp, 5-10 nm) in human hepatoblastoma (hepg2) cell line after and during a period of about one month. methods: xtt and mtt assays were used to draw a dose-response curve ic50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) value of the agnp on hepg2 cells was calculated to be 2.75-3.0 mg/l...

application of chemical pesticides has increased significantly worldwide and has raised serious concerns about environmental pollutions. one of the encouraging trends to minimize pesticide risk is production of resistant plants containing toxic proteins against insect pests. considering the importance of purification and characterization of digestive enzymes in the production of resistant plant...

In culture operations, the efficiency of a feed in promoting maximum growth in animal depends not only on its nutritive profile, but also on the animal’s inherent ability to consume, digest, absorb and metabolize the nutrients from the feed. Nutrient utilization in aquatic animals depends on the activity of their digestive enzymes [1,2]. Digestive processes in fish are less known than in animal...