Cytoplasmic streaming and ionic regulation inNitella flexilis having artificial cell saps of low ionic strength

Abstract

The cell sap of the internode ofNitella flexilis was replaced with the isotonic artificial pond water of high Ca2+-concentration (0.1 mM KCl, 0.1 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl2 and 275 mM mannitol) and changes in osmotic value and concentrations of K+, Na+ and Cl− of the cells were followed. When the operated cells were incubated in the artificial pond water containing 0.1 mM each of KCl, NaCl, CaCl2, they survived for only a short period of time (<10 hr). The cells did not absorb ions from the artificial pond water and showed a conspicuous decrease in the rate of cytoplasmic streaming. In such cell the concentration of K+ in the protoplasm decreased significantly. In order to reverse normal concentration gradients of K+ and Na+ across the protoplasmic layer, the cells of low vacuolar ionic concentrations were incubated in the artificial cell sap (90 mM KCl, 40 mM NaCl, 15 mM CaCl2, 10 mM MgCl2). It was found that the cells rapidly absorbed much K+, Na+ and Cl− and survived for a longer period (1–2 days). During this period the rate of cytoplasmic streaming was nearly normal. Furthermore, the cell lost much mannitol, indicating an enormous increase in permeability to it. Since both absorption of ions and leakage of mannitol at 1 C occurred at nearly the same rates as at 22 C, the processes are assumed to be passive.