Abstract
Summary
1. Earle's strain L cells were cultured in vitro and the effects of different concentrations of NaCN were studied. Concentrations ranging from 10-3 to 10-12 M NaCN were tested. 2. In 10-4 M NaCN growth was inhibited 97.4% but in 10-8 M, growth was enhanced and exceeded that of controls by 17%. 3. The effect of cyanide on oxygen uptake of strain L cells in neutralized horse serum was determined by means of the Warburg Respirometer. 4. At a concentration of 7 × 10-4 M HCN, which was slightly stronger than the concentration necessary to stop growth, there was still an oxygen uptake of 14.7% as compared to controls. 5. Strain L cells possess a cyanide sensitive type of respiration similar to that found in normal cells.
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