The Cortical Changes on Fertilization of the Sea-Urchin Egg

Abstract

The kinetics of the dark ground cortical change in fertilized sea urchins has been analysed. In normal eggs of Psammechinus miliaris the change appears to obey an autocatalytic mechanism. The evidence from artificial activation suggests that the initiation of the response is caused by a relatively unspecific event. The critical role of calcium is considered in relation to the evidence from eggs fertilized in capillary tubes. This suggests that calcium ions are not concerned with the initiation but with the propagation of the response. The primary change in activation may consist of an increase in permeability at the site of initiation.