Abstract
Summary
Alizarin red S has been found to stop calcification without inhibiting the enzyme phosphatase either in situ or when added to solutions containing the enzyme extracted from bone. It has been shown that alizarin inhibition of calcification is not due to removal of the calcium ion from the medium in general as evidenced by the facts that there is no interference with the clotting process of plasma or with the action of embryonic hearts. Supporting evidence is presented from a study of bones growing on litmus—containing medium and from bones stained with alizarin and transferred to alizarin—free medium. An explanation of alizarin stoppage of calcification based upon the idea that locally there is a drop in the pH is advanced.
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