What are lice made of? - briefly
Lice are arthropods whose bodies are encased in a chitinous exoskeleton, with internal tissues composed mainly of proteins, lipids, and a high water content.
What are lice made of? - in detail
Lice are small, obligate ectoparasites whose bodies consist primarily of an external chitinous exoskeleton and internal soft tissues. The outer cuticle is formed of layered chitin fibers embedded in a matrix of protein and waxy lipids, providing rigidity and waterproofing. Beneath the cuticle lies hemolymph, a fluid that transports nutrients, hormones, and waste; it contains water, dissolved proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and inorganic ions. Muscle tissue, composed of actin and myosin filaments, attaches to the inner surface of the cuticle and drives locomotion. The digestive system includes a foregut lined with cuticular material, a midgut rich in enzymes for protein and lipid breakdown, and a hindgut that reabsorbs water and expels waste. Nervous tissue consists of a ventral nerve cord, ganglia, and sensory receptors, all built from neuronal membranes rich in phospholipids and cholesterol. Reproductive organs contain gonads that produce gametes, surrounded by connective tissue and a supply of hemolymph. Overall composition approximates: water ≈ 70 %, chitin ≈ 15 %, structural proteins ≈ 10 %, lipids and other biomolecules ≈ 5 %. This arrangement enables lice to cling to host hair, feed on blood, and reproduce rapidly.