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Studies on the oxidation-reduction potential of protozoan cultures

I. The effect of-SH onChilomonas paramecium

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Summary

  1. 1.

    Positive evidence is offered of an acceleration of cell division by-SH in bacteria-free cultures ofChilomonas paramecium.

  2. 2.

    When hydrogen peroxide is added to standard culture medium no growth is obtained, but relatively rapid growth occurs if both peroxide and a high concentration of-SH are added.

  3. 3.

    This antagonistic action of-SH and peroxide is explained on the basis of the oxidation-reduction potentials involved.

  4. 4.

    It is suggested that the oxidation-reduction potential of the medium might explain, at least to some extent, the “specific” action of the-SH radial.

  5. 5.

    Methylene blue is less toxic toChilomonas paramecium in tubes sealed with oil than in unsealed tubes of the same medium. This might be explained as being due to the higher oxidation-reduction potential in the unsealed cultures or to the oxidation accelerative power of methylene blue in the presence of oxygen.

  6. 6.

    It is also suggested that the phenomena of autocatalysis and allelocatalysis might be explained on the basis of adjustments in oxidation-reduction potential.

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  1. Osborn Zöological Laboratory, Yale University and Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Mass

    Theo L. Jahn (National Research Fellow in Zoology)

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  1. Theo L. Jahn
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Jahn, T.L. Studies on the oxidation-reduction potential of protozoan cultures. Protoplasma 20, 90–104 (1933). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02674816

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02674816

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