INOR 817 |
| Little is known about the physiological and environmental factors that may influence metal contents in ascidians (Tunicata, Ascidicea). Seasonal variations in vanadium and iron levels were measured in tissues from three species of ascidians in the North Atlantic: Ciona intestinalis (Aplousobranchia), Halocynthia pyriformis (Stolidobrachia), and Ascidia callosa (Phlebobranchia). Vanadium and iron contents in coelomic cells and branchial basket were three to four times higher in the spring than other sampling periods. Controlled feeding experiments suggest that changes in metal contents may be related to food availability as animals maintained at high food concentrations had higher metal contents than animals feeding on natural plankton. Variations in metal content will be considered in light of the changing coelomic cell composition, including the frequency and types of cells that stain positively for V(III) and the activity of G6PDH, a key enzyme of the proposed reductive pathway. |
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5th International Symposium on Chemistry and Biological Chemistry of Vanadium: Posters in Biochemistry and Chemistry
7:00 PM-10:00 PM, Tuesday, 12 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Poster
Sci-Mix
Division of Inorganic Chemistry |