Abstract |
The main purpose of this study was to obtain basic information on the biochemistry of estuarine animals in order to understand the mechanism and effects of heavy metal uptake on these animals. Samples of coelenteric fluid from Chrysaora quinquercirrha (Desor) were examined for changes in pH and concentration of three enzymes as a possible physiological response to substances capable of eliciting a behavioral feeding response in several coelenterates. No increase in enzyme concentration occurred, but a drop in pH approximating values observed in actively feeding medusae, occurred in response to glutathione, proline, and shrimp extracted in glutathione. (Modified author abstract) |