The composition of animal cells: solutes contributing to osmotic pressure and charge balance.

The cytoplasmic solutes of vertebrates and invertebrates, other than Na, K and Cl, are surveyed in relation to their influence on ionic regulation through osmolality and charge balance. The most abundant include MgATP, phosphagens, amino acids, various other nitrogen and phosphorus compounds and sometimes anaerobic end products and antifreeze agents. Differences in muscle osmolality, e.g. between marine and non-marine animals, affect mainly nitrogenous solutes of no net charge, such as certain amino acids, taurine, betaine, trimethylamine oxide and urea. The high osmolality of axoplasm in marine invertebrates is due more to anions such as aspartate, glutamate and isethionate.