The effect of glycerol treatment on crab muscle fibres.
1. Membrane constants of the closer muscle of the ghost crab, Ocypoda cursor, were determined before and after treatment in hypertonic glycerol solution and return to an artificial sea-water (A.S.W.) solution.2. Muscle contraction was abolished after return of the muscle to A.S.W.3. The membrane capacitance was reduced from 29.0 muF/cm(2) to 10.5 muF/cm(2).4. Other passive properties of the muscle membrane, not dependent on capacitance, were not changed.5. The presynaptic nerve, transmitter release, post-synaptic sensitivity to transmitter and ionic mechanisms of synaptic action were unaffected by glycerol treatment.6. More than 60% of the membrane capacitance/unit area is contributed by the complex tubular system.7. The tubular system in crustacea is necessary for excitation-contraction coupling.
D000818:Animals; D003386:Brachyura / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D009210:Myofibrils / Q000502:physiology
D005990:Glycerol