Alteration of Cartilage Lysosomal Enzyme Activities during Development

Cartilage cathepsin D, cathepsin B and acid phosphatase activities decreased with maturation of Sprague-Dawley rats. Although this phenomenon may largely be due to an age-dependent decrease in cell concentration at young ages (1–8 weeks), in older (8–25 weeks) rats there appeared to be a decrease in enzyme activity per cell. The dimunition in cartilage cathepsin D activity coincided with an apparent decrease in its concentration. In addition, the inverse correlation between rat age and cartilage lysosomal enzyme activities was, at least in part, tissue specific as the pattern of liver lysosomal enzyme activities was quite different from that noted with cartilage. Interestingly, hypophysectomy greatly diminished age-related modulations in lysosomal enzyme activities suggesting that one or more pituitary hormones may be involved in the mechanism of this age-dependent phenomenon. In addition, cartilage growth rate appeared to be correlated with the level of cartilage lysosomal enzyme activities, indicating that these enzymes may be related to the biochemical mechanism of cartilage growth and development.     

The rhodopsin system of the squid

Squid rhodopsin (λ_max 493 mµ)—like vertebrate rhodopsins—contains a retinene chromophore linked to a protein, opsin. Light transforms rhodopsin to lumi- and metarhodopsin. However, whereas vertebrate metarhodopsin at physiological temperatures decomposes into retinene and opsin, squid metarhodopsin is stable. Light also converts squid metarhodopsin to rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is therefore regenerated from metarhodopsin in the light. Irradiation of rhodopsin or metarhodopsin produces a steady state by promoting the reactions, See PDF for Equation Squid rhodopsin contains neo-b (11-cis) retinene; metarhodopsin all-trans retinene. The interconversion of rhodopsin and metarhodopsin involves only the stereoisomerization of their chromophores. Squid metarhodopsin is a pH indicator, red (λ_max 500 mµ) near neutrality, yellow (λ_max 380 mµ) in alkaline solution. The two forms—acid and alkaline metarhodopsin—are interconverted according to the equation, Alkaline metarhodopsin + H⁺ acid metarhodopsin, with pK 7.7. In both forms, retinene is attached to opsin at the same site as in rhodopsin. However, metarhodopsin decomposes more readily than rhodopsin into retinene and opsin. The opsins apparently fit the shape of the neo-b chromophore. When light isomerizes the chromophore to the all-trans configuration, squid opsin accepts the all-trans chromophore, while vertebrate opsins do not and hence release all-trans retinene. Light triggers vision by affecting directly the shape of the retinene chromophore. This changes its relationship with opsin, so initiating a train of chemical reactions.     

The respiration of the isolated rod outer limb of the frog retina

The respiration of the isolated frog rod outer limb has been measured in the Cartesian diver. The outer limbs respire in Ringer solution without the addition of substrates, but the rate of respiration is increased by the addition of fructose diphosphate or succinate. The respiration is cyanide-sensitive, and therefore presumably mediated by the cytochromes. The Q(OO2) in 0.01 M fructose diphosphate is -1.0 microl. oxygen per mg. dry weight per hour at 20 degrees C. This is lower than the Q(OO2) of whole frog retina, but comparable with it and many other tissues. The respiratory rate is independent of the state of dark adaptation (rhodopsin content) of the outer limbs. The metabolism of the outer limb is probably adequate to provide the DPN required for the maintenance of the rhodopsin concentration necessary for vision.     

Can increased niche opportunities and release from enemies explain the success of introduced Yellowhammer populations in New Zealand?

Some introduced species succeed spectacularly, becoming far more abundant in their introduced than in their native range. 'Increased niche opportunities' and 'release from enemy regulation' are two hypotheses that have been advanced to explain the enhanced performance of introduced species in their new environments. Using an introduced bird species, the Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella , which was first released in New Zealand in 1862, as a model, we tested some predictions based on these hypotheses. By quantifying habitat availability and quality, and measuring nest predation rates, we investigated whether increased niche opportunities or release from nest predation could explain the higher density of the Yellowhammer in New Zealand farmland, compared to farmland in their native Britain. Yellowhammer territory densities were over three times higher in New Zealand (0.40 territories per ha) than in comparable British farmland (0.12 territories per ha), and Yellowhammer densities remained significantly higher in New Zealand, after accounting for differences in habitat availability. The density and diversity of invertebrates, a key food resource for nestling Yellowhammers, was significantly lower in New Zealand than in Britain. Hence, these aspects of niche availability and quality cannot explain the higher density of Yellowhammers in New Zealand. Nest predation rates in New Zealand were similar to those in Britain, suggesting that release from nest predation also could not account for the higher density of Yellowhammers in New Zealand. Differences in winter survival, due to differences in winter food supply or the severity of the winter climate, along with release from other types of 'enemy' regulation are possible alternative explanations.     

The functional response of Toxorhynchites rutilus rutilus to changes in the population density of its prey Aedes aegypti

We present an analysis of the functional response of the predator Toxorhynchites rutilus rutilus (Coquillett) to changes in the density of the larvae of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). The experiment was replicated for five different ages, and at three different densities of the predator. The data were fitted to Rogers' (1972) random predator equation by non-linear least-squares in order to estimate searching efficiency and handling time for each experimental treatment. The data show that estimated searching efficiencies are highest at intermediate ages of the predator for all predator densities tested. Handling time declines exponentially with increasing predator age. There is a marked interference effect; searching efficiency decreases with increased predator density, and this is most pronounced at intermediate prey ages. Estimated handling times increase with predator density at a rate which declines with increasing predator age.     

Protein Changes in Regressing Tail Tissue of Xenopus laevis during Natural Metamorphosis

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis was used to study the soluble protein fraction of Xenopus laevis tail tissue during in vivo metamorphosis. Prior to morphological signs of tail regression stage 45, a new subunit protein was resolved. At stage 64 three additional subunit proteins were resolved at the end of tail resorption. Results indicate that the altered balance between protein synthesis and degradation has little effect on the protein subunit population prior to morphological signs of tail regression.     

The ecology and evolution of male reproductive behaviour in the bees and wasps

Males of aculeate Hymenoptera differ in the behavioural adaptations employed to locate and secure mates. The ecological and evolutionary bases of these differences are explored in this paper. Male bees and wasps search for females by patrolling widely within emergence-nesting areas or within patches of flowers attractive to conspecific females, or by waiting at landmarks, at specific emergence sites, or at nests. Nest dispersion, flower distribution, the type of female mating system and the nature of male-male competition appear to be key factors in determining the mate-locating behaviour of males. Of special interest in multiple-mating by females, which may be an evolutionary response to the costs of attempting to resist copulation in certain situations. When polyandry occurs, males are under selection pressure to be the last male to copulate with a female prior to oviposition if sperm precedence occurs. In species in which females mate just once, a selective premium is placed on being the first male to reach a virgin female. In either case, because receptive females are a limited resource, there is intense competition among males for access to the resource. The density of competitor males may play an important role in determining whether holding a relatively restricted territory is preferable to the strategy of patrolling widely at various sites which may have females. Territoriality is practiced by males of several species of aculeate Hymenoptera when the number of male competitors is relatively few in number and the distribution of emergence sites or foraging areas of females is clumped in space.