Memoirs: The Spermatheca of Loligo Vulgaris. I. Structure of the Spermatheca and Function of its Unicellular Glands

1938 ◽  
Vol s2-80 (320) ◽  
pp. 593-599
Author(s):  
G. J. van OORDT

The structure of the spermatheca of Loligo vulgaris is described; it lies on the inner wall of the buccal membrane and within it large quantities of inactive spermatozoa are stored. This inactivity of the spermatozoa within the spermatheea is attributed to the effect of the secretion of the goblet-cells, situated as unicellular glands on the inner wall of the spermatheca. Inactive spermatozoa from the spermatheca become very active in sea-water, but are immobilized again after a few moments' contact with the pulp of the spermatheca contents. The hydrogen-ion concentration of the spermatheca contents is approximately 6.06; and, since spermatozoa become inactive in sea-water, the hydrogen-ion concentration of which is increased to this level, it seems probable that the inactivity of the spermatozoa within the spermatheca is due to the presence of hydrogen-ions. The spermatheca is functionally comparable to the mammalian epididymis.

1938 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 833-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Whitaker

1. Gradients of hydrogen ion concentration across Fucus eggs growing in sea water determine the developmental polarity of the embryo. 2. Gradients may determine polarity even if removed before the morphological response begins. 3. The rhizoid forms on the acid side of the egg unless this is too acid, in which case it develops on the basic side of the egg. 4. Since gradients of hydrogen ion concentration in sea water produce gradients of CO2 tension, as a result of chemical action on the carbonate buffer system, it is not proven whether the physiological effects are due to the hydrogen ions, or to the CO2 which they produce in the medium. 5. The developmental response of the eggs to gradients of hydrogen ion (or CO2) concentration provides an adequate but not an exclusive explanation of the group effect in Fucus. 6. Hydrogen ions may exert their effect by activating growth substance. Hydrogen ions or CO2 probably also affect the underlying rhizoid forming processes in other ways as well.


Nature ◽  
1923 ◽  
Vol 111 (2778) ◽  
pp. 132-133
Author(s):  
J. J.

Author(s):  
W. R. G. Atkins

The present paper is a continuation of the work already published under the above general title and should be considered in relation to the results previously recorded. The method of performing the measurements remained unchanged; xylenol blue was used to check the determinations made with cresol red in the more alkaline regions—namely, around pH 8.24. The water was tested immediately after being drawn, or within a few hours, unless otherwise stated in the tables.


1922 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin B. Powers

1. The ability of marine fishes to absorb oxygen at low tension from the sea water is more or less dependent upon the hydrogen ion concentration of the water. 2. The ability of fishes to withstand wide variations in the range of hydrogen ion concentration of the sea water can be correlated with their habitats. The fishes that are most resistant to a wide variation in the hydrogen ion concentration are most cosmopolitan in their habitat. Those that are least resistant to a variation in the hydrogen ion concentration are the most restricted in their range of habitat. 3. There is a close correlation between the optimum condition of the sea water for the absorption of oxygen at low tension by the herring (Clupea pallasii), the condition of the sea water to which they react positive and that in which they are found most abundantly. 4. It is suggested that the variation in the ability to absorb oxygen at low tension at a given pH of individuals of a species is dependent upon the alkaline reserve of the blood of the individual fish.


Author(s):  
O. M. Yonge

1. In the Lamellibranchs, as typified by Pecten maximus, Mya arenaria and Ensis siliqua, the entire, gut has an acid reaction, the stomach being the most acid region and the pH rising along the mid-gut and rectum.2. The origin of the acidity of the gut lies in the style. This has a low pH (5·4 in Pecten and Mytilus, 4·6 in Ensis and 4·45 in Mya), and, after it has been artificially extracted from Mya or induced to disappear, by keeping the animals under abnormal conditions, in Mytilus, Tapes and Pecten, the pH of the stomach invariably rises (by as much as 0·825 in Mya and 0·72 in Tapes), although the pH in the mantle cavity has fallen.3. The style, which dissolves rapidly in alkaline or weakly acid media, is not dissolved in fluids below a certain pH—4·4 for Ensis, 4·2 for Mya, 3·6 for Pecten and Mytilus.4. The style is never absent, even though animals are starved, so long as they are kept under otherwise healthy conditions. The disappearance of the style under abnormal conditions is probably due to a lowering of the vital activities, which include the secretion of the style substance, and the consequent dissolution of the style by the less acid contents of the stomach.5. The style is only maintained as a result of a balance between the rate of its secretion and the rate of its dissolution.6. There is a well-marked correlation between the tolerance of the presence of hydrogen ions possessed by the cilia from the various regions of the gut and the degree of acidity of the fluid with which they are normally surrounded.7. The pH of the gut in five Gastropods has been investigated. The fore-gut and stomach have invariably the lowest pH.8. This acidity may be caused by the salivary glands (Patella and Buccinum), the digestive gland (Doris and Aplysia), or the style (Crepidula).9. The mid-gut and rectum have a high pH, except in Doris, where there is little secretion of mucus, the gut being free and muscular.10. The style of Orepidula has similar properties to those of the Lamellibranchs. It has a pH of 5·8, and is not dissolved in fluid of pH 3·6 or lower.11. The cilia from the gut of Buccinum and Doris can function in a pH of 5·0, but there is little difference in the toleration of the various cilia to the presence of hydrogen ions.


Author(s):  
W. R. G. Atkins

In the first publication under the above general title the seasonal changes in sea water were studied, but as explained previously it was not possible to regard all the data as of an equal degree of accuracy. For this and other reasons the seasonal changes were further traced in the hydrographical cruises up to October, 1922, when the approach of the winter equilibrium made it profitless for some months to continue. Since, however, at times from April to September the changes are relatively rapid it may be advisable to follow up the matter during the period mentioned at shorter intervals.


1934 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Allison ◽  
William H. Cole

1. Fundulus heteroclitus was found to be a reliable experimental animal for studies on chemical stimulation in either fresh or sea water. 2. The response of Fundulus to hydrochloric, acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, and caproic acids was determined in fresh water, while the same acids plus sulfuric and nitric, as well as the sodium salts of the mineral acids, were tested in sea water. 3. Stimulation of Fundulus by hydrochloric acid in fresh water is correlated with the effective hydrogen ion concentration. Stimulation by the n-aliphatic acids in the same environment is correlated with two factors, the effective hydrogen ion concentration and the potential of the non-polar group in the molecule. However, as the number of CH2 groups increases the stimulating effect increases by smaller and smaller amounts, approaching a maximum value. 4. Stimulation of Fundulus by hydrochloric, sulfuric, and nitric acids in sea water is correlated with the forces of primary valence which in turn are correlated with the change in hydrogen ion concentration of the sea water. The n-aliphatic acids increase in stimulating efficiency in sea water as the length of the carbon chain increases, but a limiting value is not reached as soon as in fresh water. 5. Only a slight difference in stimulation by hydrochloric acid is found in sea water and in fresh water. However, there is a significant difference in stimulation by the fatty acids in fresh and in sea water, which is partly explained by the different buffering capacities of the two media. It is to be noted that in the same environment two different fish, Fundulus and Eupomotis, give different results, while the same fish (Fundulus) in two different environments responds similarly to mineral acids but differently to fatty acids. These results illustrate that stimulation is a function of the interaction between environment and receptors, and that each is important in determining the response. 6. Stimulation by sodium chloride, nitrate, and sulfate is correlated with equivalent concentrations of the salts added to sea water, or with the forces of primary valence. Although the threshold for stimulation by the salts is considerably higher than for the acids, the efficiency of stimulation by the salts is greater.


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