Abstract

The activity of hair cells of statocysts inHelix lucorum was investigated by means of intra- and extracellular recording, applying appropriate stimulation of the organs of balance, optic photoreceptors, and the chemoreceptors of the optic tentacle bulb. Mechanical stimulation of the statocysts evoked a firing reaction in the hair cells as a result of generator potentials occurring at the receptors. The amplitude of generator potentials was proportional to the intensity of the reaction. Stimulating the optic photoreceptors by switching on a light produced a spike response in the hair cells with a short latency of 0.3–2 sec. The latent period of this response was inversely proportional to the intensity of the light. Appropriate stimulation of the chemoreceptors of the optic tentacle bulb caused a faint spike response with a long latent period of 20–40 sec in the hair cells. Illumination and stimulation of the chemoreceptors produced an inhibitory response in the form of bursts of IPSP in 2 out of more than 50 hair cells.

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