On the origin of pristane in marine organisms.
Phytol-U-(14)C was adsorbed on algae and ingested in this form by zooplanktonic copepods (two species of Calanus). The lipids of these animals were analyzed after 48 hr and found to contain radioactive pristane and radioactive phytanic acid. The conversion of phytol to pristane by the copepods is interpreted as a likely biological source of pristane in nature.
D000327:Adsorption; D000818:Animals; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003445:Crustacea / Q000378:metabolism*; D056890:Eukaryota; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008386:Marine Biology; D013729:Terpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D005227:Fatty Acids; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D008055:Lipids; D013729:Terpenes