ABSTRACT
As part of a wider study of how echinoderms prevent fouling of their surfaces, investigations have been made of the chemical structure of echinoid surface coats (cuticle). A method of radiolabelling echinoderm surfaces has been developed. This method allows the chemical composition of surface components to be studied. Several enzymes were used to selectively digest radiolabeled spines of sea urchins. It was shown that label is bound to the glycoprotein and/or protein molecules on the surface of the spines. The turnover rate of the cuticle was also studied and half turnover time was found to be 25 days.
