AbstractThe hydrolysis of inorganic pyrophosphate has been studied in cell‐free extracts prepared at different stages of development ofDictyostelium discoideum. Two enzyme reactions, pH optima 7.25 and 9.0, appear specific for inorganic pyrophosphate and have an absolute requirement for a divalent cation, preferably Mg2+. The enzyme specific activities do not change significantly during differentiation. Neither enzyme reaction is inhibited by orthophosphate and the presence of exogenous potassium phosphate does not affect the levels of pyrophosphalase at any stage. Exogenous glucose raises the pyrophosphatase levels in the sorocarp