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A liquid ion-exchanger alternative to KCl for filling intracellular reference microelectrodes

  • Excitable Tissues and Central Nervous Physiology
  • Instruments and Techniques
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Abstract

We have developed a filling solution for silanised microelectrodes consisting of potassium tetrakis (p-chlorophenyl) borate in octanol. Microelectrodes filled with this reference liquid ion-exchanger (RLIE) have equal selectivities to Na and K, and give the same membrane potential as do KCl-filled microelectrodes. The RLIE microelectrodes are more stable, less damaging to the cell membrane and do not leak Cl− ions. Their high resistance, however, makes them unsuitable for recording rapid potential changes or for passing current.

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Author notes

  1. Roger C. Thomas

    Present address: Department of Physiology, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD, Bristol, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Yale University, 333, Cedar St., 06510, New Haven, CT, USA

    Roger C. Thomas & Charles J. Cohen

Authors
  1. Roger C. Thomas
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  2. Charles J. Cohen
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Thomas, R.C., Cohen, C.J. A liquid ion-exchanger alternative to KCl for filling intracellular reference microelectrodes. Pflugers Arch. 390, 96–98 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00582719

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00582719

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