Hemocyanin Function in Active and Dormant Land Snails, Otala lactea

Authors

M. Christopher BarnhartFollow

Abstract

The respiratory function of hemocyanin was assessed in active and dormant individuals and in active individuals at different body temperatures. Hemocyanin oxygen affinity and oxygen-carrying capacity were low (P50 = 43 torr at pH 7.9, body temperature = 25 C, and CHcO₂ = 0.11 mM). The Bohr shift was negative below pH 7.9, so that oxygen affinity increased as pH declined. The negative Bohr shift appears to increase oxygen transport in dormant snails, which are acidotic and frequently have very low PO2 in the lung and hemolymph. In active snails, only ~10% of the hemocyanin oxygen-carrying capacity is utilized at 5 C, but >70% is utilized at 25 C.

Document Type

Article

Additional Information

© 1986 by The University of Chicago

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1086/physzool.59.6.30158618

Publication Date

11-1-1986

Recommended Citation

Barnhart, M. Christopher. "Hemocyanin function in active and dormant land snails, Otala lactea." Physiological Zoology 59, no. 6 (1986): 725-732.

Journal Title

Physiological Zoology