A carbon and nitrogen flux model of mussel digestive gland epithelial cells and their simulated response to pollutants.

The mussel digestive gland epithelial cells provide a key interface between the organism and pollutants such as aromatic hydrocarbons. The simulation of their uptake and export mechanisms as well as an internal protein degradation pathway, and any subsequent disruption to any of them, has been undertaken. A computational model is described, which simulates the flow of carbon and nitrogen through a mussel's digestive cell. The model uses a compartmentalised view of the cell with inviolate 'pipelines' connecting each of the volume-variable partitions. Only the major physiological pathways relevant to the flow of either carbon or nitrogen or volume are modelled. Simulated response to hydrocarbon exposure is examined.