title: The effect of glycerol treatment on crab muscle fibres.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D005990:Glycerol