Uptake of dissolved glucose and glycine by Pisidium, a freshwater bivalve

Pisidium casertanum takes up glucose and glycine from low concentrations in the surrounding water. The rate of uptake increases with concentration and temperature, and is highest in smaller animals and in the summer. The carbon is lost rapidly from the body as both respired CO 2 and as soluble organic material. Some is held in the animal. Under natural conditions, it appears unlikely that dissolved organic material plays a significant role in the energetics of these bivalves.