THE EFFECTS OF ELECTROLYTES AND SUGARS ON THE ERYTHROCYTES OF THE TURTLE, CHELYDRA SERPENTINA

¹ Department of Zoology, Duke University, Durham, N. C.

1. The comparative hemolytic rates of Chelydra serpentina erythrocytes in isosmotic salt solutions as measured photometrically were KCl > NaCl > MgCl₂, and NaCl > Na₃ citrate. Hemolysis in cyanide (0.019 molal) was similar to that in chloride. No hemolysis occurred in isosmotic CaCl₂ and the addition of CaCl₂ to cells hemolyzing in Ca-free electrolyte solutions arrested hemolysis at once.

2. Hemolysis in sodium and potassium solutions was greatly retarded at about pH 6 and below.

3. The hemolytic potency of isosmotic sugar solutions (pH 7.4) was found to be: dextrose > sucrose > d-galactose > d-xylose with complete hemolysis in dextrose and none in 1-arabinose in three hours.

4. Sugar hemolysis was accompanied by abnormal shape changes and disintegration of cells, whereas in Ca-free electrolyte solutions "normal" ghosts were found.

5. Agglutination occurred in unbuffered isosmotic sugar solutions, the extent depending upon the particular sugar. Agglutinating action was not correlated with hemolytic potency.

6. Results of experiments on the hemolytic and agglutinating properties of sugars indicate that certain sugars are not inert but have a definite action on the cell surface.