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Negative oxidation reduction potential as the limiting factor for exogastrulation in sea urchins

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Summary

The underlying factor in all these experiments is the matter of energy levels as indicated by oxidation-reduction potentials, and the importance of a correct potential in controlling the activation of the enzyme systems upon which growth and development of living cells depends.

In order to produce a definite structure in an organism, work is required. This is designated as energy produced by certain chemical reactions catalyzed by definite enzymes in a chain of enzyme reactions.

The E. M. F. as a measure of work of the reaction and translated into volts is indicated by the oxidation-reduction potential produced. There is a direct ratio between high redox potential and the production of energy which results in the growth of those parts of the organism requiring these factors. At a more negative potential these cells cannot function and merely produce results consistent with the reduced energy available.

In explaining variations in shape and form by different redox potentials, it is interesting to refer to Daniels, Mathews, and Wiliams (1929) who state that “the more positive the value of the redox potential, the more effective is the ion in the higher state of oxidation as an oxidizing agent; and conversely, the more negative the oxidation potential, the more powerful is the ion in the lower state of oxidation as a reducing agent.” This explanation holds for the production of exogastrula in sea urchin and other echinoid eggs, subjected to the reagents described in these pages.

It has been shown that the production of a negative redox potential in various ways as affecting the different enzyme systems is the limiting factor in the formation of exogastrula.

The special case of lithium chloride upon which most of these experiments herein described is predicated, shows definitely how much greater the negative redox potential becomes when lithium is added to sea water.

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  1. Department of Physiology, University of California, Berkeley, California

    Matilda Moldenhauer Brooks

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Brooks, M.M. Negative oxidation reduction potential as the limiting factor for exogastrulation in sea urchins. Protoplasma 51, 131–153 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01893250

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