PHOSPHATE-BUFFERED INJECTION MEDIUM DISTURBANCE IN CAFFEINE EFFECTS ON VOLUNTARY MUSCLE RESPONSE

¹ From the Department of Biology, Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York and The Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts

1. The phosphate buffer produces physiological effects which are independent of the pH, as maintained by, and in comparison with, the bicarbonate buffer.

2. The phosphate buffer as an injection medium solvent, causes changes separately effective from the solute involved.

3. The impossibility of using a phosphate buffer as a solvent and pH control in the study of the effects of caffeine upon striated muscle fatigue, is demonstrated specifically.

4. An interpretation of the PO₄ effect in this instance is suggested.

5. The degree of interference, due to the phosphate buffer disturbance with respect to the PO₄ balance and attendant changes is shown in the case of studies concerning the effect of caffeine upon the fatigue curves of voluntary muscle.