Studies on the metabolism of the protozoa. The molecular structure of a starch-type polysaccharide from Polytoma uvella.

1. Polytoma uvella, when grown in an acetate-containing medium, synthesizes a starch-type polysaccharide. 2. The starch differs from normal plant starches in having a lower iodine affinity, and in being relatively insoluble; this latter property makes fractionation difficult. 3. The starch contains about 16% of amylose, and on fractionation yields a branched amylopectin component that is similar in structure to a typical plant starch amylopectin.