Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
06:03
Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat
Published on: September 20, 2016
13.2K
Steady state osmotic adaptation inUlva lactuca
D M Dickson1, R G Jones, J Davenport
1Department of Biochemistry and Soil Science, University College of North Wales, LL57 2UW, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales, UK.
Planta
|December 6, 2013
Summary
Ulva lactuca adjusts to salinity changes by altering inorganic ions and beta-dimethylsulphoniopropionate levels. Other organic osmolytes play a minor role in osmotic adjustment for this marine alga.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Algology
- Plant physiology
Background:
- Marine algae like Ulva lactuca face fluctuating salinity levels.
- Understanding osmotic adjustment mechanisms is crucial for algal survival and productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of hyper- and hypo-saline stress on Ulva lactuca.
- To identify key inorganic and organic solutes involved in osmotic adjustment.
Main Methods:
- Measuring tissue concentrations of inorganic ions (K+, Na+, Cl-) and organic solutes.
- Exposing Ulva lactuca to different salinity conditions (hypo- and hyper-osmotic stress).
Main Results:
- Hypoosmotic stress decreased K+, Na+, and Cl- levels.
- Hyperosmotic stress led to transient Na+ increase and stable K+, Cl- accumulation.
- Beta-dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) levels changed with salinity, rising as Na+ fell.
- Free sugars and amino acids, including proline, were not significant in osmotic adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Ulva lactuca utilizes inorganic ions and DMSP for osmotic adjustment.
- Tertiary sulphonium compounds may function analogously to quaternary ammonium compounds in higher plants.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of DMSP in algal osmoregulation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
00:59Tonicity in Animals
111.5K
The tonicity of a solution determines if a cell gains or loses water in that solution. The tonicity depends on the permeability of the cell membrane for different solutes and the concentration of nonpenetrating solutes in the solution within and outside of the cell. If a semipermeable membrane hinders the passage of some solutes but allows water to follow its concentration gradient, water moves from the side with low osmolarity (i.e., less solute) to the side with higher osmolarity (i.e.,...
111.5K
01:16Tonicity in Animals
9.0K
Tonicity describes the amount of solute in a solution. The measure of the tonicity of a solution, or the total amount of solutes dissolved in a specific amount of solution, is called its osmolarity. Three terms—hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic—are used to relate the osmolarity of a cell to the osmolarity of the extracellular fluid that contains the cells. In a hypotonic solution, such as tap water, the extracellular fluid has a lower concentration of solutes than the fluid inside...
9.0K
01:28Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Osmolarity
1.7K
Osmolarity is the measure of solute concentration in a solution. It plays a critical role in determining water availability for organisms. Water moves across semipermeable membranes through osmosis, flowing from regions of lower solute concentration (more dilute) to regions of higher solute concentration (more concentrated).In high-solute environments, microbial cells lose water, leading to dehydration and inhibited growth. The extent to which water is available to microbes in such environments...
1.7K
01:47Osmoregulation in Insects
15.3K
Malpighian tubules are specialized structures found in the digestive systems of many arthropods, including most insects, that handle excretion and osmoregulation. The tubules are typically arranged in pairs and have a convoluted structure that increases their surface area.
15.3K
02:32Osmoregulation in Fishes
48.9K
When cells are placed in a hypotonic (low-salt) fluid, they can swell and burst. Meanwhile, cells in a hypertonic solution—with a higher salt concentration—can shrivel and die. How do fish cells avoid these gruesome fates in hypotonic freshwater or hypertonic seawater environments?
48.9K
01:20Tonicity in Plants
25.5K
Plant cells maintain appropriate osmotic balance in extreme conditions. For instance, plants in dry environments store water in vacuoles, limit the opening of their stoma, and have thick, waxy cuticles to prevent unnecessary water loss. Some species of plants that live in salty environments store salt in their roots. As a result, water osmosis occurs in the root from the surrounding soil.
Tonicity
Tonicity describes the capacity of a cell to lose or gain water depending on the solute...
Tonicity
Tonicity describes the capacity of a cell to lose or gain water depending on the solute...
25.5K