Influx and net flux of amino acids into larval and juvenile European flat oysters, Ostrea edulis (L.)

• Published in: Journal of experimental marine biology and ecology 1980, Vol.48 (1), p.51-59
• Main Authors: Rice, Michael A, Wallis, Katherine, Stephens, Grover C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal physiology; aquatic organisms
• ISSN: 0022-0981; 1879-1697
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-0981(80)90006-4

Influx and net flux of amino acids into veliger, pediveliger, and juvenile stages of the oyster, Ostrea edulus (L.), were examined. Influx of alanine and glycine was determined using 14C-labelled substrates and monitoring the disappearance of radioactivity in the medium. Net influx was determined fluorometrically by following the disappearance of primary amines from solutions containing known substrates. Rates of influx and net influx are comparable for juvenile Ostrea down to ambient substrate levels of 2 μM. Net influx of amino acids into veliger and pediveliger larvae occurs at all concentrations examined (9 μM minimum). Rates of maximum influx ( J max i ) and ambient substrate concentration at which influx is half-maximal ( K t) are reported for each stage. The K t for glycine and alamine influx is 35–40 μM, decreasing to ≈ 15 μM in 1.5 mm sized juvenile oysters.