STUDIES ON MECHANO-PERCEPTION IN CHARACEAN CELLS - DEVELOPMENT OF A MONITORING APPARATUS

An apparatus to monitor the electrical signal generated in Chara cells upon mechanical stimulation was developed. An internodal cell was sti mulated by dropping a glass tubing with the intensity of the stimulus being controlled by changing either the weight of the glass tubing or the height from which it was dropped. Upon stimulation, a receptor pot ential was generated with the amplitude being dependent on the stimulu s intensity. When the receptor potential reached a threshold value, an action potential was generated. The receptor potential and action pot ential were characterized. The usefulness of this apparatus for analyz ing receptor potentials is discussed.