The Influences of Immersion Media on the "Longevity" of Isolated Nematocysts of Sea-Anemone
摘要
1. The explosion per cent. of the total number of nematocysts was counted after applying N/10 HCl solution to a sample which was taken from time to time from a nematocyst suspension prepared from the acontia of Diadumene luciae, and the influences of different sorts of suspension media upon the nematocysts' longevity were studied on the explosion percentage-time curves ("aging curves"). 2. The best preserving media for the function of isolated nematocysts proved to be distilled water and 1M glycerine solution. 3. Sea water, as well as pure solutions of its component electrolytes in concentrations isotonic to sea water, was found to accelerate the aging of nematocysts. In NaCl or KCl solution the nematocysts lost their exploding capacity faster than in CaCl_2 solution. 4. Delayed actions of KCl, NaCl and MgCl_2 solutions on nematocysts in causing their explosion was observed. 5. A way in which the present type of observations may contribute to the elucidation of the chemical nature of the milieu in vivo for nematocysts was suggested. 6. A volume reduction of the nematocysts accompanying their aging was shown to be\nprobable, leading to a suggestion as to the nature of the influences of the media upon the longevity of nematocysts.