The effect of microwave radiation on passive membrane properties of snail neurons

The effect of CW microwaves (2450-MHz, rate of energy absorption, 15.5 mW/g) on passive properties of neurons of the Helix snail was studied. After one hour of exposure, the electrical resistance and the time constant of the membrane diminished, respectively, by 22 and 26%. Irradiation against the background of injection of EDTA (ethylene-diamine-tetra-acidic acid) into the cell blocked the change in membrane resistance. In contrast, injection of DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) into the cell qualitatively mimiced the microwave effect.