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Journal of Experimental Biology 43,23-37 (1965)
Published by Company of Biologists 1965

Osmotic and Ionic Regulation in the Prosobranch Gastropod Mollusc, Viviparus Viviparus Linn

C. LITTLE ¹

¹ Department of Zoology, Cambridge; Institute of Marine Science, University of Miami, Florida

1. The inorganic composition of the blood of Viviparus has been examined. The mean is 40·9 mM./l. NaCl, and the blood Contains 34 mM./l. sodium, 1·2 mM./l. potassium, 5·7 mM./l. calcium, 31 mM./l. chloride, and 11 mM./ bicarbonate. The pH is 7·73.

2. When the concentration of the external medium is increased, of the blood increases and in 20% sea water the blood is isosmotic with the external medium. Chloride is maintained in lower concentration in the blood than in the external medium.

3. The minimum concentrations of the external medium at which ^Viviparus can come to equilibrium are 0·006 mM./l sodium and 0.20 mM./l calcium.

4. After washing-out in de-ionized water of the blood can be reduced to half its normal value. Chloride is reduced to about 5 mM./l. and is to some extent replaced by bicarbonate.

5. The ionic composition of the opercular muscle has been analysed. Much calcium is held in solid concretions. The ratios of internal:external potassium and chloride do not appear to obey a Donnan equilibrium. This matter is discussed.

6. The possibility is discussed that the concentration of amino acids in the cells increases when of the blood is increased.