CARDIOLIPIN CONTENT OF WILD TYPE AND MUTANT YEASTS IN RELATION TO MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

The phospholipid composition of various strains of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and several of their derived mitochondrial mutants grown under conditions designed to induce variations in the complement of mitochondrial membranes has been examined. Wild type and petite (cytoplasmic respiratory deficient) yeasts were fractionated into various subcellular fractions, which were monitored by electron microscopy and analyzed for cytochrome oxidase (in wild type) and phospholipid composition. 90% or more of the phospholipid, cardiolipin was found in the mitochondrial membranes of wild type and petite yeast. Cardiolipin content differed markedly under various growth conditions. Stationary yeast grown in glucose had better developed mitochondria and more cardiolipin than repressed log phase yeast. Aerobic yeast contained more cardiolipin than anaerobic yeast. Respiration-deficient cytoplasmic mitochondrial mutants, both suppressive and neutral, contained less cardiolipin than corresponding wild types. A chromosomal mutant lacking respiratory function had normal cardiolipin content. Log phase cells grown in galactose and lactate, which do not readily repress the development of mitochondrial membranes, contained as much cardiolipin as stationary phase cells grown in glucose. Cytoplasmic mitochondrial mutants respond to changes in the glucose concentration of the growth medium by variations in their cardiolipin content in the same way as wild type yeast does under similar growth conditions. It is concluded that cardiolipin content of yeast is correlated with, and is a good indicator of, the state of development of mitochondrial membrane.     

THE AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF FRESHWATER MOLLUSC SHELLS IN RELATION TO PHYLOGENY AND ENVIRONMENT

Quantitative thin layer chromatography of structural amino acidswas standardized for the study of shell proteins of 13 speciesof freshwater mollusc. There was slight intraspecific variationbetween individuals, particularly for tyrosine concentrations.No external periostracum was chemically identifiable in theshell of Lymnaea peregra (Müller) and this species showedsome amino acid heterogeneity in different parts of the shell.Despite these intraspecific variations, analysis of variancesuggested interspecific variation in concentrations for almostall the amino acids tudied. Cluster and principal componentsanalysis indicated that the amino acid composition did reflectphylogenetic affinity but that environmental factors were probablymore-important. (Received 5 August 1982; revised 5 August 1982;     

CHLOROPHYLL A:B RATIOS IN SOME SIPHONOUS GREEN ALGAE IN RELATION TO SPECIES AND ENVIRONMENT1

The chlorophyll a:b ratios measured in several species of Caulerpa and in Bryopsia plumosa (Hudson) C. Ag. gave values close to 2.00 or below. Values obtained for Ulva lactuca L. taken from the same site gave a higher value of 2.44, and the sea-grass Heterozostera tasmanica (Martens ex Aschers) den Hartog a value of 2.98. Although there were changes in a:b ratios observed when Caulerpa plants were, stored for up to 10 days in dim light, the values did not suggest that chlorophyll a:b ratios were directly controlled by light intensity. It is conducted that the a:b ratios described in this paper, are a characteristic of the species themselves and are not a result of their growth in extremely shaded situations.     

THE STRUCTURE OF FISH GILLS IN RELATION TO THEIR RESPIRATORY FUNCTION

1. The general structure of the gills of different fishes is compared and it is concluded that, though essentially the same, there are certain differences by which they can be recognized. Possible ways in which they may have evolved from one another are considered. 2. A detailed account is given of the structure of the secondary lamellae, where gaseous exchange takes place, and it is shown that two epithelial sheets are separated by a vascular axis mainly composed of pillar cells overlain by a basement membrane on each side. Blood pathways through the gills are discussed in relation to their respiratory function. 3. The embryonic development of gills is described and evidence regarding homo-logies of different structures, particularly the pillar cells, is reviewed. 4. The gills of fish having different modes of life show variations in (a) the number of arches, (b) the number and length of the gill filaments, and (c) the size and frequency of the secondary lamellae. Ways in which measurements of gill area may be carried out and some of the complications involved are reviewed and a summary given of measurements made for a wide variety of species. Measurements of the thickness of the water-blood barrier are also discussed; the more active fish generally have thinner water-blood barriers and larger gill areas. 5. The different mechanisms of gill ventilation are summarized and characteristics of gill resistance in elasmobranchs and teleosts are compared. Gas exchange is discussed in relation to available techniques and the current terminology and symbols, and to indicate the value of analogies between gill exchangers and systems studied by engineers. 6. It is outlined how studies of the functioning of gills during coughing, parasitic infection, and in polluted waters add to knowledge of their role in respiration.     

EXOSMOSIS IN RELATION TO INJURY AND PERMEABILITY

The time curve expressing the increase in the permeability of Nitella during the progress of death is practically the same whether derived from measurements of exosmosis or of electrical resistance.