Effects of hydrogen ion concentration on tissue in culture.

Abstract Monolayer cultures of chick mesenchyma tissue were grown in media of various pH values (initially 6.0–8.5) but otherwise identical. The tissue displays a remarkable power to adjust the pH value of the medium in the direction of pH 7.5. The fastest increase in cell counts was obtained when the initial pH value was about 7.5. In some experiments, radioglucose was contained in the medium. The amount of radioactive CO 2 and lactic acid produced during incubation increased with increasing pH value. In tubes containing large numbers of cells, fermentation was more enhanced by increasing alkalinity than was respiration.