CONTRASTS IN THE CELL SAP OF VALONIAS AND THE PROBLEM OF FLOTATION |
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| Authors: | W. J. V. Osterhout M. J. Dorcas |
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| Affiliation: | From the Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Harvard University, Cambridge, and The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research. |
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| Abstract: | The marine alga Valonia macrophysa contains in its cell sap K and Na in the proportion of 5.72 to 1. In a form regarded as closely related, Valonia ventricosa, growing in similar environment, the ratio of K to Na is as 0.0278 to 1. The former contains no Mg but in the latter it is present. There are other differences in the composition of the sap. These differences bring about a remarkable contrast in behavior in that Valonia ventricosa floats in sea water while Valonia macrophysa sinks. |
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