The formation of contractile vacuoles in Amoeba proteus

Abstract The history of investigations on the contractile vacuole is reviewed briefly and brought up to date. The study of the contractile vacuole in Amoeba proteus is considered from standpoints of origin, structure, behavior, and function. The results are obtained from a prolonged study of normal organisms and from their reactions when introduced into conductivity water. The origin of vacuoles is studied by means of dark‐field illumination which reveals the vacuole to be formed from a fusion and coalescence of extremely minute droplets. The retaining ‘wall’ of the contractile vacuole is not a permanent structure, but is in the nature of a condensation membrane, totally disappearing with each contraction. The loci of the contractile vacuoles are not permanent, but vacuoles are formed more or less at random. It is unlikely that they are supported in gelated areas, for amoebae with a dozen vacuoles are quite active and there is no interference with amoeboid movement. Conductivity water increases the size, number, and rate of contraction of contractile vacuoles, which suggests that they may function in maintaining an osmotic gradient as well as in the elimination of metabolic waste.