INFLUENCE OF CATIONS IN EXTRACELLULAR LIQUID ON DELAYED LUMINESCENCE OF ACETABULARIA-ACETABULUM

This paper examines the effect of cations in the culture medium on the critical parameters of delayed luminescence of Acetabularia acetabulu m that are correlated with morphological changes. We show that Ca2+ ha s drastic effects on the cell, causing rapid, irreversible contraction of the cytoskeleton and chloroplasts; these effects are only countera cted by the presence of Mg2+. Simultaneous alterations in the critical parameters of delayed luminescence offer important clues as to the so urce and nature of delayed luminescence and its link to the whole stru cture of the system. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserve d.