Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 June 2012
Physical and chemical methods of analysis suitable for volumes of Drosophila hæmolymph under I μl. are described. The osmotic pressure of hæmolymph is equivalent to 1·05 per cent NaCl. The pH is 6·6·6·7. Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl− and PO3−4 occur in concentrations of 56·5, 40·2, 8, 20·8, 42·2 and 2·8 mM/1. Probably the only sugar present is trehalose. A rough analysis for amino-acids indicates that they contribute an amount to the osmotic pressure equivalent to about 0·4 per cent NaCl. These results are discussed in relation to tissue culture.
This paper was assisted in publication by a grant from the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland.