Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

What is an Electrochemical Gradient?

What is an Electrochemical Gradient?

Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is considered the primary energy source in cells. However, energy can also be stored in the electrochemical gradient of an ion across the plasma membrane, which is determined by two factors: its chemical and electrical gradients.The chemical gradient relies on differences in the abundance of a substance on the outside versus the inside of a cell and flows from areas of high to low ion concentration. In contrast, the electrical gradient revolves around an ion’s...

The Resting Membrane Potential

The Resting Membrane Potential

Resting Membrane Potential

Resting Membrane Potential

The relative difference in electrical charge, or voltage, between the inside and the outside of a cell membrane, is called the membrane potential. It is generated by differences in permeability of the membrane to various ions and the concentrations of these ions across the membrane.
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...

Resting Membrane Potential

Resting Membrane Potential

The relative difference in electrical charge, or voltage, between the inside and the outside of a cell membrane, is called the membrane potential. It is generated by differences in permeability of the membrane to various ions and the concentrations of these ions across the membrane.
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...

Electrochemical Systems

Electrochemical Systems

Electrochemical systems provide a fascinating insight into the dynamic interplay of charged species within various phases. One notable example is the interaction between a membrane permeable to K⁺ ions but not to Cl⁻ ions, separating an aqueous KCl solution from pure water. As K⁺ ions diffuse through the membrane, they generate net charges on each phase, leading to a potential difference between them.Similarly, when a piece of Zn is immersed in an aqueous ZnSO₄ solution, the Zn metal, composed...

The Electrical Double Layer

The Electrical Double Layer

In the region where two bulk phases meet, an intricate electric charge distribution arises due to charge transfer, ion adsorption, molecular orientation, and charge distortion. This complex distribution is commonly referred to as the electrical double layer.When a solid electrode interfaces with ions in an electrolyte solution, the speed of electron transfer dictates the rates of oxidation and reduction. The electrode acquires a charge through the escape of atoms into the solution as cations or...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Mechanosensitive Channels: Introduction.

The Biological bulletin·2017

Same author

Intercellular communication and tissue growth : V. A cancer cell strain that fails to make permeable membrane junctions with normal cells.

The Journal of membrane biology·2013

Same author

Junctional membrane permeability : Depression by substitution of Li for extracellular Na, and by long-term lack of Ca and Mg; restoration by cell repolarization.

The Journal of membrane biology·2013

Same author

Junctional membrane permeability : Effects of divalent cations.

The Journal of membrane biology·2013

Same author

Intercellular communication and tissue growth : IV. Conductance of membrane junctions of normal and cancerous cells in culture.

The Journal of membrane biology·2013

Same author

Depression of lingual tactile sensation during chemical stimulation of the human tongue.

Neuroscience letters·2009

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Measuring the Induced Membrane Voltage with Di-8-ANEPPS

Measuring the Induced Membrane Voltage with Di-8-ANEPPS

Published on: November 20, 2009

Temperature and charge transfer in a receptor membrane.

N ISHIKO, W R LOEWENSTEIN

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|December 16, 1960

Summary

Temperature significantly impacts Pacinian corpuscle receptor potentials but not adjacent Ranvier node action potentials. High activation energy suggests a substantial energy barrier for receptor membrane excitation and charge transfer.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biophysics
Cellular Physiology

Background:

Mechanoreceptors like Pacinian corpuscles transduce physical stimuli into electrical signals.
Temperature is a critical environmental factor influencing biological processes, including nerve function.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effect of temperature on mechanically elicited generator potentials in Pacinian corpuscles.
To compare temperature-dependent changes in receptor potentials with those in adjacent action potentials at Ranvier nodes.

Main Methods:

Electrophysiological recordings from Pacinian corpuscles and adjacent Ranvier nodes.
Mechanical stimulation applied to the receptor membrane.
Varying the temperature across a defined range.

Keywords:

NERVE ENDINGS/physiology

More Related Videos

Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer

Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer

Published on: April 19, 2021

Porous Substrate-Based Electroporation with Transepithelial Electrical Impedance Monitoring

Porous Substrate-Based Electroporation with Transepithelial Electrical Impedance Monitoring

Published on: September 27, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Measuring the Induced Membrane Voltage with Di-8-ANEPPS

Measuring the Induced Membrane Voltage with Di-8-ANEPPS

Published on: November 20, 2009

Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer

Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer

Published on: April 19, 2021

Porous Substrate-Based Electroporation with Transepithelial Electrical Impedance Monitoring

Porous Substrate-Based Electroporation with Transepithelial Electrical Impedance Monitoring

Published on: September 27, 2024

Main Results:

Generator potential rate of rise and amplitude increased significantly with temperature in Pacinian corpuscles.
Action potential amplitude in Ranvier nodes remained largely constant across tested temperatures.
High activation energy was calculated for the rate-limiting step in receptor membrane excitation.

Conclusions:

Pacinian corpuscle mechanotransduction is highly temperature-sensitive.
Temperature affects the initial excitation process at the receptor membrane differently than action potential propagation.
A high energy barrier for charge transfer is implicated in the temperature-dependent excitation of the receptor membrane.