POSSIBLE FACTORS LIMITING THE CONCENTRATION OF HAEMOCYANIN IN THE BLOOD OF THE SNAIL, HELIX POMATIA L.

Abstract

The copper content of the haemocyanin of Helix pomatia is about 0.25%.When the concentration of haemocyanin in the blood exceeds a certain value, the increased oxygen capacity of the blood is offset by its viscosity. This critical concentration exceeds 100 g per kilogram of water and is thus above the range of concentrations found in H. pomatia. The amount of haemocyanin in the blood seems not to be limited by solubility, but, whilst other factors may be involved, it is likely that the amount synthesized by a snail is sometimes limited by the availability of copper or other nutrients.