CHEMICAL PHENOMENA IN LIFE 



laws. When there is a scarcity of food, the diges- 

 tion of starch or protein must yet be continued 

 until the concentration of the disintegration- 

 products has reached a decisive point. But 

 has the concentration risen above a certain point, 

 the process of recomposition becomes predominant, 

 with the result that storage of starch or protein 

 takes place. 



Such regularity can only exist as long as no 

 reaction products are taken away or added. When 

 we remove the products of dissimilation, e.g. the 

 sugar produced in the decomposition of starch, 

 the splitting process continues and does not cease 

 until the whole stock of starcli has disappeared 

 and has been transformed into sugar. Working 

 upon this principle we can deprive seeds entirely 

 of starch, even the isolated endosperm when the 

 embryo has been removed. The seeds are fastened 

 each upon a small cylinder made of plaster of 

 Paris, which is placed in a dish filled with water. 

 The principle of such an experiment is quite the 

 same as that which is followed in the emptying 

 of leaves of starch during the night. In the process 

 of respiration and growth at night the growing 

 plant consumes considerable quantities of sugar. 

 At the end of a warm summer day leaves are full 

 of starch, and allow a constant stream of sugar 

 solution to be directed to the places where sugar 

 is consumed. By this process the decomposition 

 of starch grains is continually assisted, since all 

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