THE EFFECT OF CHANGES OF THE IONIC ENVIRONMENT UPON AN ISOLATED CRUSTACEAN SENSORY NEURON

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Abstract
The effects of altered ionic environments on resting potential, membrane resistance, action potential and responses to stretch have been studied in the crayfish stretch receptor. The magnitude of the resting potential was decreased in elevated K+; the size of decrease was not altered by increased Ca++, but was affected by the absence of Ca++. The membrane resistance was decreased by increase of K+ or the removal of Ca++ and the K+ effect was antagonized by Ca++. The amplitude of the action potential was decreased on increasing K+ or on decreasing Ca++ or Na+ and the K+ effect was antagonized by Ca++ The generator potential was reduced by removal of Na+ or Ca++, or by increase of K+, but direct evidence was obtained only for the participation of Na+ in the generator process.