Passive Electrical Properties Of Hair Cells And Supporting Cells In The Lateral Line Canal Organ

Abstract

Tntracellular membrane potentials and resistance measurements were made from cells in the lateral line organs of the burbot (Lota Zota). The membrane potentials varied from 10-65 mV and the resistances from 8-110 Mω. A relationship exists between the membrane potential and resistance. Under resting conditions there is no detectable difference in the membrane potential and resistance between hair cells and supporting cells. Hair cells are electrically inexcitable, and the specific resistance of the hair cell membrane is 100-1000 ω/cm² and its capacitance is < 0.3 μF/cm².