The ability to detect high pH could allow the insects to avoid toxic substances.
The researchers who led the latest study chose to investigate whether flies have a receptor specific to high pH, because previous work has shown that the insects can sense a broad spectrum of tastes.
To test the flies’ preferences for foods with different pH levels, Yali Zhang, a neurobiologist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his colleagues presented them with a Petri dish of sweet gel — one half was maintained at a neutral pH of 7, and the other half was mixed with sodium hydroxide to make it alkaline. Each half was also coloured either red or blue. After munching on their preferred gel, the flies’ translucent bellies turned red, blue or purple .
The researchers found that the higher the pH of the alkaline food, the more the flies rejected it for the more neutral cuisine. But one group of flies was not as good at distinguishing between the two meals. Screening of these flies revealed that they had a mutation in a gene that the researchers named.
Most sensory receptors involve channels that control the movement of positively charged ions into the cell, not negatively charged ions out of it, says Liman.gene using a technique called optogenetics caused the insects to recoil their probosces from a sugary solution, apparently under the impression that it was too alkaline to consume.Liman says the specific finding will probably not be directly applicable to vertebrates, because they do not have thegene.
The discovery in flies could bring new insights into how insects more generally respond to environmental cues, for example in decisions on where to lay their eggs, as well as for pest control, she says.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Swarm Recap: Forbidden FruitDre’s righteous murder spree brings her face-to-face with Ni’Jah and Billie Eilish.
Read more »
Frozen fruit recall issued after Hepatitis A outbreakScenic Fruit Company has issued a recall for frozen strawberries and an organic tropical blend due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A.
Read more »
Watch the Cambodian Bear forage Indian fruit pies this winter - Chicago ReaderThere’s no restaurant opening in 2023 more desperately anticipated than Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto’s transformation of his brother’s venerable but grotty River North beef joint into a fine dining destina—uhhh, wait. No. I’m thinking of season two of The Bear, the fictionalized heart-attack-on-a-plate that might be the most harrowing depiction of life on the line ever […]
Read more »
Frozen fruit recall issued after Hepatitis A outbreakScenic Fruit Company has issued a recall for frozen strawberries and an organic tropical blend due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A.
Read more »
Frozen fruit recall issued after Hepatitis A outbreakScenic Fruit Company has issued a recall for frozen strawberries and an organic tropical blend due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A.
Read more »
Recall roundup: Gerber formula, Trader Joe’s fruit, Clio yogurt snacks pulledSome Gerber infant formulas is recalled, as well as snacks sold at Walmart and frozen fruit sold at Trader Joe's.
Read more »