THe Metabolism of Acetate in Chlorella Cells

Abstract

As a preliminary research for this series of studies, the present author investigated the capacity of Chlorella ellipsoidea for oxidizing various organic substances, including carbohydrates and organic acids* Among the substances studied, glucose and acetate were found to be most readily metabolized by the alga. The purpose of the present study was to follow the metabolism of these substrates in more detail. The process of oxidative assimilation of these substances was also followed. Special stress was laid on the investigation of acetate metabolism, since it was discovered in the course of the present study that this particular acid was assimilated with most rapidity and with strikingly high efficiency by the algal cells. The effects of poisons such as cyanide and 2,4-dinitrophenol on the respiration, on the one hand, and on the assimilatory process, on the other hand, were also investigated. The rather unexpected discovery, in this connection, that carbon dioxide also exerts an inhibitory effect on the metabolism of the algal cells will be reported. The changes in the metabolic activities during the cellular life-cycle were also investigated. The results obtained are discussed with reference to the general pattern of metabolism of Chlorella cells.