Abstract

The potential difference on the receptor epithelium of the ampullae of Lorenzini and on the skin and also spike discharges of single electroreceptor nerve fibers in response to temperature stimulation of the region of the pores of the ampullae were studied in the Black Sea skateRaja clavata. Heating the skin in the region of the pore led to the appearance of a positive potential on the skin and on the epithelium of the ampulla, and to inhibition of spike activity. The time course of the change in potential reflected the course of change of temperature; the temperature coefficient was 100–150 µV/°C. Cooling the skin was accompanied by a negative deviation of potential on the skin and in the ampullary canal and by excitation of spike activity. During cooling the temperature coefficient was 30–50 µV/°C. It is concluded that spike activity of electroreceptors reflects changes in potential on the skin due to changes in temperature. The mechanism and biological significance of the phenomena discovered are discussed.

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