Effect of pH on Blepharisma intermedium. 2. Cytochemical changes

Abstract

No correlation was obsd. between fission and the concn. of chem. constituents and activities of some enzymes in B. intermedium. The cellular activities were governed by enzymes whose action was pH-​dependent. Changes in buffers, pH, and the molarity of the medium produced variations in the concn. of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins, in the activity of succinic dehydrogenase [9002-​02-​2]​, acid phosphatase [9001-​77-​8]​, and alk. phosphatase [9001-​78-​9]​, and in the shape, size, color, and motility of the organism. The internal pH of the organism affects metab., and is regulated by the extent of penetration of extracellular constituents across the cell membrane. The external pH, concn., and nature of the buffer constituents, including tris-​maleate-​Na hydroxide mixt., Na citrate, and Na acetate solns., det. the extent of penetration