The Effects of Ethanol on Conjugation and Division in Paramecium caudatum*

Abstract

The effects of ethanol on conjugation and division in Paramecium caudatum were studied in six concentrations ranging from 0 . 0 0 1~ to OSM, over a period of 72 hours.A marked increase in the number of conjugants was noted in concentrations between 0.001~ and 0.05M alcohol, especially during the first 48 hours of exposure. The optimum concentration for conjugation was 0 . 0 0 5~ a t which there were 439% more conjugants than in the control. Division also increased in the same alcohol concentrations that caused increase in conjugation. The optimum concentration for division was 0.005M. This stimulating effect of alcohol on division reached its peak within the first 24 hours.