Electrical Responses of the Single Hair Cell in the Ear of Fish

Abstract

The electrical responses of single hair cells of the ear of fish were recorded by means of an intracellular microelectrode. 1) DC potential between the peri- and the endolymph measured. 5-7mV, the latter being always positive in reference to the former. 2) The resting potential of the hair cells in ampullae was 10- 12mV, while that in the utricule was 8-10mV. 3) Responses of those cells in ampullae to rotatory stimuli were reverse to each other, depending on the direction of rotation.In the horizontal canal the ampullopetal acceleration produced a depolarisation and the deceleration a repolarisation and, if any, , hyperpolarisation, whereas the ampullofugal acceleration produced a hyperpolarisation and the deceleration a depolarisation.In the vertical canals, both anterior and posterior, just the reverse responses were observed.The validity of Ewald's old hypothesis was identified. The ampulla was also responsive to the linear movement. 4) Responses of hair cells of the utricule were substantially not so much different from those of the ampulla. They were very remarkable to the linear movement but the utricule was still responsive to the rotation. 5) All these responses have never shown the overshoot.