NUTRIENT STORAGE AND ADENYLATE ENERGY CHARGE IN LITTORINA LITTOREA (L.) (REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE, GASTROPOD).
Item
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Title
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NUTRIENT STORAGE AND ADENYLATE ENERGY CHARGE IN LITTORINA LITTOREA (L.) (REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE, GASTROPOD).
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Identifier
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AAI8629724
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identifier
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8629724
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Creator
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OTSUKA, CARY MINEO.
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Contributor
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Linda H. Mantel
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Date
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1986
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Biology, General
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Abstract
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Seasonal changes in stored nutrients (lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins), the adenylate pool (ATP, ADP, AMP), and adenylate energy charge (AEC) were examined in the marine gastropod Littorina littorea (L.). Populations from two locations, Orchard Beach, a rocky intertidal site, and Breezy Point, a sand flat, were compared because the latter population exhibited a disrupted reproductive cycle for the two consecutive years prior to 1984. During 1984, animals from both populations released eggs in the laboratory. Although differences existed in population size and composition, no significant differences existed in the measured biochemical components during the reproductive phase. The disrupted reproductive cycle of the previous years had no apparent effect on the ability of the Breezy Point population to reproduce during 1984.;The Orchard Beach population was followed for two consecutive reproductive cycles. Reductions in lipid and carbohydrate composition coincided with the events of gametogenesis, fertilization, and egg release. Monthly fluctuations in the ADP and AMP concentrations were not directly related to any seasonal pattern. Reduced ATP/ADP ratios coincided with the reproductive phase, indicating the high ATP demand during this period. This is supported by the significant positive correlation coefficients that existed between the visceral ATP-lipid composition and between the visceral ATP-carbohydrate composition. The calculated AEC (a ratio based on ATP, ADP, and AMP concentrations used to indicate whether an organism is in an optimal or stressed condition) appeared to be independent of season and reproduction. Low AEC values did not consistently coincide with the reproductive period indicating that reproduction was not a stressful event in terms of AEC.;Littorina littorea was exposed to sublethal concentrations of benzene (1 ppm) in the laboratory to examine the effect of this hydrocarbon on the AEC, adenylates, and stored nutrients. After a three week dosing period, no significant differences existed in AEC between control and experimental animals. Adenylate concentrations, lipid, and carbohydrate compositions were slightly greater in experimental animals. Protein composition was greater in control L. littorea. L. littorea is a very resistant organism that is able to maintain its levels of stored nutrients and adenylates at relatively constant levels and release viable eggs even when exposed to short term hydrocarbon perturbation.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Biology
