Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Author Spotlight: Bridging the Gap Between Field Observations and Lab Manipulations in Larval Ecology Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
Ion compartmentation in the red alga Caloglossa leprieurii in response to salinity changes: freeze-substitution and
A S Mostaert1, D A Orlovich1, R J King1
1School of Biological Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, AustraliaPlant Cell Biology Research Centre, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
Abstract:
The elemental content of cell compartments in the euryhaline red macroalga Caloglossa leprieurii (Montague) J. Agardh subjected to different salinities, was determined by X-ray microanalysis of freeze-substituted thin sections. Duty are given for three compartments; cell wall, vacuole and cytoplasm. The most abundant elements detected were potassium, sodium and chlorine, with a Sulphur peak in the cell wall indicating the presence of sulphated polysaccharides. With salinity upshock the cytoplasm is maintained low in K, Na and Cl, whereas in the vacuoles they increased. High levels of K and Na located in the cell wall reflect cation binding to negatively charged polysaccharides. Hyposaline shock resulted in decreased K, Na and Cl levels in all compartments, though K was retained in the cytoplasm. Results are discussed with regard to the role of ion compartmentation in the salt tolerance of this alga, and the cation exchange properties of the cell wall are emphasized.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Salt Stress
Osmoregulation in Fishes
Diversity of Protists III
Red Algae
Marine Microbial Ecology
Tonicity in Animals

