MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STARFISH OOCYTES*

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Abstract
The stiffness of the starfish [Asterias forbesi] oocyte was determined from the degree of deformation when compressed by a definite force between a pair of parallel plates. The deformation of the oocyte increased during continued application of a constant force, indicating visco-elasticity of the cell. A cyclic change in stiffness accompanied meiotic division. Stiffness decreased during early stages of meiosis, increased before the onset of the 1st polar body formation, then decreased and increased again before the onset of the 2nd polar body formation, and decreased thereafter. Deuteration increased stiffness.