Question

Describe the cestodal tegument by answering the following questions

What is the layer that covers the entire tegument, what is its composition, what are its functions?

What are the tegumental microtriches and what are their functions?

Describe the structure and function of the distal cytoplasm of the tegument.

Describe the structure and function of the tegumentary cytons

Answer 1

Ans. The layer covering the entire tegument is 7-16 micrometer thick and comprises of syncytium of nucleated tissues with no cell boundaries. The outer zone is called distal cytoplasm lined with plasma membrane. Plasma membrane associated with carbohydrate containing macromolecules known as glycocalyx. The outer layer is characterised by the presence of enzymes such as Glutathione S transferase, Acid and alkaline phosphatase and ATP diphosphorylase. Tegument are metabollicaly active body and functions in protection, absorption and secretion.

Tegumental microtriches are fine hair like filaments distributed throughout the surface of body and gives a smooth shiny appearance to the surface. It enhances the surface area and functions for enhanced absorption of nutrients.

Distal cytoplasm is the outer zone of syncytium and is lined with plasma membrane. The glycocalyx present in plasma membrane is responsible for inhibition of digestive enzymes, absorption of cations and bile salts and enhancement of host amylase activity.

Tegumentary cyton are concerned with the process of protein synthesis and are a region of high biosynthetic activity. Tegumentary cyton are dense, flattened, discoidal membrane. They are rich in carbohydrate matrix and surrounded by membrane about 10 nm thick.