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Journal of Experimental Biology 108,179-194 (1984)
Published by Company of Biologists 1984

Effects of Varied Culturing and Experimental Temperature on Electrical Membrane Properties in Paramecium

BORIS MARTINAC ¹ and HANS MACHEMER ¹

¹ Abteilung für Biologie, Ruhr-Universität D-4630 Bochum, Federal Republic of Germany

Effects of temperature on the electrical properties of the Paramecium membrane were investigated under constant current and voltage-clamp stimulation. With cells cultured at 18°C, the resting potential was largely stable with experimental temperatures varied over the range of 10-25°C, whereas action potential amplitude and membrane input resistance were inversely related to temperature increases. During voltage clamp, the early calcium current was increased, the time-to-peak decreased, and the early conductance increased with temperature. Similar modifications of the culturing temperature did not affect the resting potential, input resistance and stimulus-response relationship of the action potential, but the early conductance was reduced with increase in temperature. Possible effects of long- and short-term temperature changes upon intraciliary calcium concentration are discussed.

Key words: Temperature, membrane potential, membrane currents, Ca²⁺, Paramecium.

Accepted on August 17, 1983