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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Ref ID : 3759

D. Kahan and R. Sharon; Effect of Temperature on Growth, Cell Size, and Free Amino Acid Pool of the Thermophilic Ciliate Cyclidium citrullus. J.Protozool. 23(3):478-481, 1976

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A clone of Cyclidium citrullus, adapted to growth at 18, 27, 37, 43, and 46 degrees C had an optimum at 43 degrees C, with 6.5 divisions/day. Transfer of cells previously grown at 43 or 46 degrees C to 18 degrees C resulted in death of most of the cells, transfer to 27 degrees C increased the lag period, and transfer from 18 degrees C to 37 or 46 degrees C was followed faster division. All cells died at 48 degrees C; some divided before death. At the temperatures employed maximum cell sizes (length and width) were achieved in the early log phase. At 43 degrees C, however, the early log phase cells were smaller. Quantitative and qualitative differences in the free amino acids in the cells were found in ciliates grown at 18, 43, and 46 degrees C; the highest amount/cell was found at 18 degrees C, and the lowest at 43 degrees C. High concentration of proline was noted only at 18 degrees C.