Effect of immobilization on K influx in algae cells

nfluence of immobilization in Ca-alginate gel on K+ (86Rb+) uptake by Chlorella vulgaris cells was investigated. In immobilized cells the K+ influx was decreased by 20-25% in comparison to suspended cells. The addition of Ca2+ (0.1-10 mM) into incubation medium considerably increased K+ uptake in suspension. By contrast, free alginate (0.01-1%) drastically inhibited the isotope uptake in the same conditions. These data may suggest that the interaction of plasma membrane with polysaccharide matrix or alginate molecules releasing from gel affects the transport properties of immobilized algae cells.