Both photons and fluoride ions excite limulus ventral photoreceptors.
Illuminating Limulus ventral photoreceptors with dim light results in a response composed of discrete waves. In the dark, adding 10 mM sodium fluoride to the artificial seawater that bathes the photoreceptor includes discrete waves. The fluoride-induced waves are similar to those evoked by light. These findings suggest that fluoride induces a process similar or identical to visual excitation of the photoreceptor.
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D005459:Fluorides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006737:Horseshoe Crabs; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008027:Light; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects
D005459:Fluorides; D002118:Calcium