ISSN:
1615-6102
Keywords:
Amoeba proteus
;
Metabolism
;
Microcalorimeter
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary We have carried out calorimetric determinations of the overall metabolism ofAmoeba proteus. There was no significant difference in metabolic activity between cells that were starved 3, 4, and 5 days. After 7 and 10 days a significantly lower metabolism was found (p 〈 0.05). The mean value of heat production rate (thermal power) for the cells after 3 days starvation was found to be 0.84 ± 0.14 nW/cell. Optimal number of cells in the ampoule (1,500–4,800) was accompanied by a steady-state power-time curve. With higher cell concentrations (〉 5,000) the power-time curve showed an initial peak. The fall in heat production after about 1 hour varied between 30–60%. The decrease in power value was much larger than expected from cell mortality during the calorimetric experiment. Increasing number of cells (range 1,500–10,000) in the calorimetric ampoule caused a decrease of heat production rate per cell. The correlation coefficient was r=−0.85(p 〈 0.001). The coefficient of variation of the method was found to be 4.8 %. It seems that the use of microcalorimetric technique can be valuable in recording metabolic events in protozoes.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01283583
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