Cytological changes in chloride cells following altered ionic media.

The rock-eel, Pholis, and guppy, Lebistes, adapted to fresh or saltwater were exposed to low concentrations of unnatural ions or transport inhibitors including thiocyanate, potassium and ouabain, which caused cytological alterations in the chloride cells of the gills. Some of the other substances used caused generalized damage to intracellular membranes. Highly ordered geometric arrays of the tubular reticulum were produced under certain conditions. The conditions of the experiments suggest that the tubular reticulum plays a role in ionic segragation and that the normal configuration of the reticulum is dependent on the ionic composition of the intracellular milieu.