Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Standardizing a Non-Lethal Method for Characterizing the Reproductive Status and Larval Development of Freshwater Mussels Bivalvia: Unionida
Published on: October 4, 2019
Ion Transport in the Freshwater Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha
Abstract:
The blood solute concentration (36 mosm) of pondwater acclimated zebra mussels is among the lowest found in freshwater bivalves. Blood ion concentrations were Na (11-14 mM) and Cl (12-15 mM), with lesser amounts of Ca (4-5 mM), HCO3 (about 2-4 mM), and K (0.5 mM). Sodium, Ca and Cl transport rates were 20-30 μeq (g dry tissue · h)-1 for pondwater acclimated mussels. The influx of both Na and Cl was stimulated by exogenous serotonin (0.1 mM). Sodium transport in zebra mussels was not inhibited by amiloride. Zebra mussels became isosmotic in 30 mM NaCl solutions and did not survive beyond a week in 45 mM NaCl. Zebra mussels are well adapted to their dilute freshwater habitat, but are more stenohaline than other freshwater bivalves as reflected by their intolerance of elevated ion concentrations in the bathing solution.
More Related Videos
07:53Bioindication Testing of Stream Environment Suitability for Young Freshwater Pearl Mussels Using In Situ Exposure Methods
Published on: September 5, 2018
07:28A Toxicological and Ecotoxicological Assay Based on Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) Hemocytes Motility
Published on: December 13, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Pore Transport and Ion-Pair Transport
Pore transport, also known as convective transport, is a process where small molecules like urea, water, and sugars rapidly cross cell membranes as though there were channels or pores in the membrane. Although direct microscopic evidence is limited but the concept of pores or channels is widely accepted based on physiological evidence. Despite the lack of direct...
Facilitated Transport
Primary Active Transport
Secondary Active Transport
Short-distance Transport of Resources
Common Ion Effect