Antagonism by Cellular Extracts of Effects of Respiratory Poisons on Onion Roots and Sea Urchin Eggs

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Abstract
The antagonism of yeast extract and beef spleen extract against the effects of 1 hr. exposure to respiratory poisons (phenylmercuric nitrate, HgCl2, KCN and urethane) on onion roots and sea urchin eggs was investigated. Yeast extract in no way modified the effects of sublethal concn. of phenylmercuric nitrate (7.5 X 10-6 [image]) which consisted of arrest in growth for 24 hrs. during which time small swellings developed just behind the meristematic tip, but prevented the lethal action of concns. as high as 6.3 X 10-6 [image], with subsequent production of terminal swellings. Yeast extract prevented the lethal action of KCN (0.06 [image]) and HgCl2 (5.1 X 10-5 [image]) and there were no subsequent swellings or deformities of the roots. Urethane (0.56 [image]) had sublethal effects after 1 hr. exposure; 0.34 [image] acting for 6 hrs. resulted in death by the 4th day; 1% yeast extract did not protect against the effects of urethane. Beef spleen extract was less satisfactory than yeast extract. Ninety-five to 100% of the sea urchin eggs were dead 20 hrs. after 1 hr. of exposure to all but the most dilute concns. of phenylmercuric nitrate. Yeast extract did not protect the eggs against 1 X 10-5 [image] phenylmercuric nitrate but protected 50% against 1 X 10-6 [image].
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