Relationships between the cation contents of slime and blood in the snail Helix pomatia L.

Burton, R.F. (1965) Relationships between the cation contents of slime and blood in the snail Helix pomatia L. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 15(3), pp. 339-345. (doi: 10.1016/0010-406X(65)90137-4) (PMID:5856672)

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Abstract

1. In comparison with the blood, the slime, produced when the side of the foot is irritated, contains higher concentrations of potassium and magnesium, but generally lower concentrations of sodium. 2. Much of the observed variation in the composition of the slime can be interpreted in terms of the hypothesis that two components are present, in variable proportions. One resembles the blood; the other, presumably formed within the gland cells, contains more potassium, magnesium and organic matter, but less sodium. 3. The production of slime is not accompanied by immediate changes in the concentrations of sodium in the blood. 4. Changes in the composition of the blood in snails, caused to lose water primarily by the production of slime over a 3 week period, were compared with those in snails which lost water mainly by evaporation. The total concentration of solutes increased in a similar manner in both groups but the level of sodium rose much more in the latter. Significant changes in potassium and magnesium were not demonstrated.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Burton, Dr Richard
Authors: Burton, R.F.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
Journal Name:Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology
Publisher:Pergamon Press
ISSN:0010-406X

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