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1. The liver and muscle tissues of 14 human anencephalic babies were examined for glycogen content and structure, and for the activities of several glycogen-metabolizing enzymes. 2. In both tissues glycogen content increased with gestation age; the muscle glycogens had a slightly but significantly lower degree of branching than the corresponding liver glycogens. 3. All the expected glycogen-metabolizing enzymes were present; acid maltase activities were higher and phosphoglucomutase activities were lower than the results reported for human adult tissues. Glucose 6-phosphatase activity increased significantly with gestation age.

The rate of hydrolysis of amylopectin by three different limit dextrinase preparations is only about 15–23% of that of amylopectin β-limit dextrin under similar conditions. On dilution of the enzymes there was no change in specificity. The factors controlling the specificity of the enzyme and the possible significance in vivo of the results are discussed.

Aspects of Yeast Metabolism

THE use of light-scattering methods for the determination of the molecular weight, size and shape of macromolecules has become of increased importance in recent years. Studies already made include those on cellulose acetates1, polystyrene and synthetic polymers2, and several proteins3,4. The influence of sodium chloride on the size and shape of a detergent–protein complex has recently been investigated using a light-scattering method5. The application of this method to the measurement of the molecular weight of several glycogens is reported in this communication.