SECTION THREE 



Glutathione 



Solutions required: 



A. Acetic acid i%. 



B. Ammonium sulphate, saturated, 



aqueous. 



C. Sodium nitroprusside 5% aqueous. 



Technique: 



1. Place thin sections of strictly fresh tissue on slides. 



2. Flood with 1% acetic acid and heat gently till vapour rises. 

 This is most conveniently done by placing the slides over a corner 

 of a tripod and applying the heat by means of a very small bunsen 

 flame which should be held some distance away from the underside 

 of the slide. 



3. Transfer to a watch glass and rinse in the ammonium sul- 

 phate solution. 



4. Immerse in a mixture consisting of 0-5 ml. of the sodium 

 nitroprusside solution and 5 ml. of saturated ammonium sulphate, 

 in a watch glass. 



5. Agitate gently but thoroughly by rocking the watch glass for 

 a few minutes. 



6. Whilst watching the sections closely, add i ml. of ammonia 

 solution. 



Results: 



If glutathione is present the cells will assume a red colour, 

 which usually lasts only a second or so, with the addition of the 

 ammonia solution. 



Inulin 



Occurs in bulbs of Dahlia variabilis^ etc. 



Solutions required: 



A. Thymol 15% in absolute alcohol. 



B. Chloral hydrate . . . . . . 10 gm. 



Distilled water . . . . • • 4 ml- 



239 



