The oxidase and dehydrogenase systems of the crystalline style of Mollusca

Abstract

The oxidase system of the crystalline style of Saxidomus giganteus depends for its activity on the presence of the diatoms constituting the food of the animal and normally adherent to the style. The style supplied a peroxidase, the diatoms an auto-oxidisable substance. No acid is produced by the action of the oxidase system on glucose, but a substance giving reactions of glucosone is formed. The combination of crystalline style and diatoms also contains a dehydrogenase system. In vacuo this system produces a substance giving glucosone reactions. The oxidase system probably serves as H acceptor in the production of glucosone from glucose under the action of the crystalline style and diatoms in the presence of air.