[Bodily heat resistance and polymorphism of liver esterases of grass frogs]

The determination of organismal heat resistance and qualitative composition of polymorphous liver esterases during heat acclimation (25 degrees) has been made on frogs Rana temporaria. During hybernation the most heat resistant frogs possess the homozygous allele of A2 esterase. Heat acclimation and the summer rise in temperature in nature lead to an increase in heat resistance of frogs and to the disappearance of selective advantage of animals possessing the isoenzyme of the A2A2 esterase. The functional homeostasis of populations can maintain biochemical polymorphism regardless of the selective advantage of individuals possessing one of the homozygous alleles of the isoenzyme.