Lysosomal and free acid phosphatase in salivary glands of chironomus tentans.

In cells of salivary glands of last-instar larvae of Chironomus tentans, acid phosphatase activity is bound to (probable) lysosomes and a few other cell organelles. At the end of the pupal molt the salivary gland breaks down. While acid phosphatase in areas of nondegenerated cells is still restricted to the structures mentioned, in degenerated areas the enzyme is freely distributed in the cytoplasm.