Publication Date

1985

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Prahlad, K. V.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

LCSH

Embryology--Amphibians; Amino acids; Anura

Abstract

The role of the jelly coat in amino acid transport in Bombina orientalis and Xenopus laevis embryos was examined. The jelly coat is required for maximal transport of all amino acids tested in Bombina embryos, including those found to be jelly coat-independent in Xenopus embryos. Jelly coats which were removed and returned to dejellied embryos, either intact or homogenized, were able to restore amino acid transport to levels comparable to those found in control groups. Embryos with the jelly coat removed but with the fertilization membrane left intact, transported amino acid at 3% of control levels, the same rate as completely naked embryos. Substitution of sodium with choline in the medium had no effect on amino acid transport in Bombina embryos. Jelly coats which were frozen-thawed, sonicated or heated to 55°C restored amino acid transport levels to 54, 18 and 7% of control levels in Bombina embryos. There is a direct correlation between the concentration of jelly coat present in the medium and the rate at which dejellied embryos of either species transport amino acids. Finally, at the optimal concentration jelly coat from either species is capable of raising amino acid transport levels in embryos of the other species above that found in control groups: 262% in Bombina embryos and 292% in Xenopus.

Comments

Bibliography: pages 40-42.

Extent

vi, 42 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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