The anaerobic active ion transport by isolated frog skin

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Abstract
Active ion transport by the isolated frog skin was measured electrically by the method of Ussing and Zerahn (1951) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In the presence of 100% nitrogen or 100% carbon monoxide ion transport continued for over an hour, although at a lower rate (about 20-40%) than in the presence of O2. Under anaerobic conditions an increase in lactic acid formation was demonstrated which is compatible with the view that the energy for active ion transport anaerobically is supplied by glycolysis. In 5 experiments values were obtained indicating that 2 to 6 univalent ions were transported per high-energy phosphate bond synthesized anaerobically. The stimulatory effect of neurohypophyseal hormones on ion transport in this tissue is absent during anaerobiosis. The results conflict with the oxidation-reduction hypothesis of ion transport in which molecular O2 is the final electron acceptor and support the view that the ion transport in this tissue is dependent upon high-energy phosphate compounds which can be supplied by either aerobic or anaerobic metabolic pathways.