PULSATION FREQUENCY OF THE ADVISCERAL AND ABVISCERAL HEART BEATS OF CIONA INTESTINALIS IN RELATION TO TEMPERATURE

The frequency of pulsation of the heart of Ciona intestinalis increases with temperature in both advisceral and abvisceral direction, according to the Arrhenius equation. The increase in pulsation is the same in both directions. The following µ values were obtained: 8,000–, 12,000+, 16,000, in several combinations, with critical temperatures at 10°, 15°, and 20°C. The values found are comparable with earlier findings for activity of the heart in different animals. This quantitative correspondence suggests anew the conception that temperature characteristics may be employed for recognition of controlling processes. The fact that the µ's and the critical temperature are the same for advisceral and abvisceral beats, indicates that the general metabolic condition of the two ends of the heart is the same in any one individual.