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Journal of comparative physiology

, Volume 90, Issue 4, pp 389–403 | Cite as

Polarization sensitivity

A phenomenon independent of stimulus intensity or state of adaptation in retinular cells of the crabsCarcinus andCallinectes
  • Michael I. Mote
Article
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Summary

Polarization sensitivity of photoreceptors of the crabsCarcinus andCallinectes were measured with intracellular microelectrodes in the dark adapted condition with stimuli of very low intensity and under conditions of selective polarized adaptation. A mean polarization sensitivity ratio of 4.5 to one (n=25) was obtained. The values ranged from 3.2 to one to 9 to one. The value obtained in any given cell was independent of either (a) the intensity of the stimuli employed in its determination, or (b) any conditions of selective adaptation present during the experiment.

The results of these experiments are discussed in reference to two hypothetical explanations for the discrepancy between microspectrophotometric measurements of rhabdomeric dichroism and electrophysiological determinations of polarization sensitivity in crustacean photoreceptors. They do not support the hypothesis of Muller (1971, 1973) that the high polarization sensitivity measured in such photoreceptors is due to a passive interaction between the retinular cells which serves to enhance polarization sensitivity imparted by the dichroism of the rhabdom. They do support the hypothesis of Shaw (1966, 1969) and Snyder (1973) which suggest that the dichroic ratio of the rhabdomere and the polarization sensitivity ratio of the cell are similarin situ.

Keywords

High Polarization Selective Adaptation Polarization Sensitivity Electrophysiological Determination Retinular Cell 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1974

Authors and Affiliations

  • Michael I. Mote
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.The Marine Biological LaboratoryWoods Hole
  2. 2.Department of BiologyTemple UniversityPhiladelphia

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