Colorants acides et détermination embryonnaire chez les Echinodermes

Summary

The effects of three dyes with carboxyl groups are been studied on the developing eggs of the sea urchin,Paracentrotus lividus. Uranin and rose Bengal are both some derivative of the xanthene. Chrome violet CG is a carboxyl derivative of pararosolic acid. In dilute solutions these three dyes induce the development of radial larvae. At higher concentration, uranin and rose Bengal are very effective animalizing agents. Rose Bengal is more active than uranin. Rose Bengal differs from uranin by the fixation of halogens on the molecule of dye which increase the acidity of the carboxyl group. It appears that animalizing activity runs parallel with acidity. The results of these experiments are discussed in relation to the animalizing effects of various acid sulfonated dyes. The possible significance of the combinations between acid dyes and basic components of the cells in the animalization is considered.