The effect of immersing and tearing Amoebae in salt solutions.

Abstract

Conclusions

(1) These experiments emphasize the liquefying action of NaCl and the solidifying effect of CaC1₂, brought out previously.¹

(2) They also indicate that Na and K can penetrate the Amceba much more effedively than Ca or Mg.

(3) Of the four salts studied, only NaCl has a disintegrative action upon the surface.

(4) The tearing experiments indicate that Ca and Mg, which have very little effect on the intact Amoeba, enter the cell easily through a tear. The action of Ca is localized, and the Ameba rids itself of the dead portion by an active “pinching-off” process. Mg, on the other hand, tends to diffuse throughout the cell, and is therefore extremely toxic. These findings substantiate the results obtained in the injection experiments.

(5) To antagonize toxic effects of NaCl or KC1, CaC1₂, must be present in a non-lethal dose.