OXYGEN AND LUMINESCENCE, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF METHODS FOR REMOVING OXYGEN FROM CELLS AND FLUIDS

Abstract

Simple methods for completely removing O2 from biological fluids are described and indicators for absence of O2 discussed. Most luminous animals require free gaseous dissolved O2 for luminescence but a few can luminesce without such O2. These are the Ctenophores; the medusa, Pelagia noctiluca; and Radiolarians. Pennatulids require O2 as do all annelida, ophiuri-ans, cephalopoda, copepoda, and balanoglossids tested. It is found that in Beroe and Pelagia the photogenic granules (without cells) luminesce in absence of O2, and it is suggested that the proper amount of O2 for luminescence is bound up in the photogenic granule, and cannot be removed by the drastic methods of 02-removal described in the paper.