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L‐929 cells under hyperosmotic conditions: Volume changes
Author(s) -
Clegg James S.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.1041290315
Subject(s) - intracellular , volume (thermodynamics) , sorbitol , osmotic concentration , chemistry , cell , biophysics , cell size , molality , membrane , cell membrane , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry , thermodynamics , physics , aqueous solution
Volume changes resulting from the addition of sorbitol to the environment of mouse L‐929 cells were evaluated from cell diameter measurements. Over periods of 1 hour or less, this solute was effectively excluded from intracellular water. The reduction in cell volume was inversely related to sorbitol concentration up to levels of about 0.6 molal, above which no further significant reduction occurred. Reduced cell volumes were maintained for at least 1 hour without measurable volume regulation. The percentage of volume lost was independent of the initial cell volume and was quickly regained when physiological conditions were restored. However, cell volume was influenced strongly by cell density or by some variable related to it. L‐cells store surface area when dehydrated, apparently by means of plasma membrane convolutions and microvilli, based on the rapid kinetics of reversible volume changes and on observations from scanning electron microscopy. These results are related to current views on the nature of intracellular organization.