THE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION OF ARTIFICIALLY ACTIVATED AND FERTILIZED CHÆTOPTERUS EGGS

Abstract

Activation with 5% isotonic KC1 in sea-water reduces the O2 consumption of unfertilized Chaetopterus eggs in the same proportion (51-53%) as fertilization. After that initial drop, the respiration increases much faster in the fertilized than in the activated eggs. This difference is not a result of an inhibitory action of KCl as shown by control expts. It is probably linked to the slower development of the activated eggs, differentiating without cleavage, which is indicated by the belated ciliary activity and a reduction in the activity of thymonucleic acid synthesis.