CALCIFICATION AND ITS INHIBITION IN COCCOLITHOPHORIDS1,2

The protein synthesis inhibitors cycloheximide and chloramphenicol and the transport inhibitors LaCl₃, oligoniycin, and ethacrynic acid were found to inhibit reversibly calcium uptake, coccolith formation, and cell division in the coccolithophorid Cricosphacra (Hymenomonas) carterae. With some, compounds, recovery of calcification was retarded, and in the case of oligomycin, incomplete. Glycerol, 0.5 M, partially reversed the inhibitory effect of chloramphenicol on calcification but not on division. Ouabain was without significant effect on calcium uptake but slowed division in 3 of 5 experiments. Ruthenium red inhibited, neither calcification nor division. In the absence of light, calcification did not occur.     

Studies on Shell Formation : VIII. Electron Microscopy of Crystal Growth of the Nacreous Layer of the Oyster Crassostrea virginica

Electron microscope observations have been made by means of the replica method on growth processes of calcite crystals of the nacreous layer of the shell of the oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Layer formation is initiated by the secretion of a conchiolin matrix and the deposition of rounded crystal seeds on or in this material. In some areas crystal seeds are elongate and within a given area show a similar orientation, probably due to slower deposition. The seeds appear to increase in size by dendritic growth, and smaller seeds become incorporated into larger ones which come into contact to form a single layer. With further growth, crystals overlap, forming a step-like arrangement. The direction of growth is frequently different in neighboring regions. Crystal seeds deposited on crystal surfaces are usually elongate and oriented. Well developed crystals have a tabular idiomorphic form and are parallel in their growth. Rounded and irregular crystals were also observed. The crystals show reticular structure with units of the order of 100 A and striations corresponding with the rhombohedral axes of the crystals. The role of the mantle is discussed in relation to the growth patterns of crystals and shell structure.