Studies on Mechano-Perception in Characeae: Decrease in Electrical Membrane Resistance in Receptor Potentials

Abstract

A polyacrylate chamber with three pools was developed to measure the changes in electrical membrane resistance during generation of receptor potentials upon mechanical stimulation in Char a internodal cells. The membrane resistance decreased at the peak of the receptor potentials. The present results support the hypothesis that the receptor potential is generated by activation of ion channel(s). This is the first success in demonstrating a change in the membrane resistance in receptor potential induced mechanically in plants.