[Heterogenicity of the intracellular potential of Spirostomum ambiguum infusoria]

Studies have been made on intracellular potenital of the contractile infusorium S. ambiguum. To immobilize the infusorians, they were embedded into gelatin. This procedure made it possible to record intracellular potential for several hours. Heterogeneity and heterochronism of intracellular potential were demonstrated which reveal themselves in its rhythmic changes and spontaneous shifts up to the inverstion of its sign. Possible morphological correlates of various levels of the potential are discussed.