Aerobic metabolism of the hepatopancreas of Helix pomatia.

The presence ofthe tricarboxylic-acid cycle (Krebs's cycle) has been demonstrated in most mammalian tissues investigated (Krebs & Johnson, 1937; Green, Loomis & Auerbach, 1948), where it appears to be the major pathway for the oxidation of carbohydrate, fat and protein intermediaries. No detailed examinations have been made in the invertebrates. However, evidence has been presented of Krebs's cycle activity in certain nematodes (Massey & Rogers, 1950), the cockroach (Barron & Tahmisian, 1948) and Drosophila (Spirtes, 1951). No similar studies have been made in Helix pomatia. The evidence of Biedermann (1911), Baldwin (1938) and Vonk, Mighorst & de Groot (1950) suggests that the hepatopancreas plays an important role in the metabolism of the animal. The enzyme systems examined in the present investigation were those contained in suspensions and mitochondrial preparations from the hepatopancreas ofboth hibernating and active H. pomatia, since there is evidence of changes in the enzymes of an organism during hibernation (Baldwin, 1938; Suomalainen, 1935).