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Mode of action of straight chain hydrocarbons on primary chemoreceptors of the blowfly, Phormia regina
Author(s) -
Steinhardt Richard A.,
Morita Hiromichi,
Hodgson Edward S.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.1040670107
Subject(s) - phormia regina , chemoreceptor , sugar , receptor , electrophysiology , chemistry , biology , biophysics , biochemistry , botany , neuroscience , larva , calliphoridae
The fundamental actions of straight‐chain hydrocarbons on the three known primary chemoreceptor cell types of the blowfly, Phormia regina , were studied in quantitative terms. Lower alcohols and long‐chain amines act in two stages: first a reversible inhibition, and then injury, of the salt, water, and sugar receptors in the labellar sensilla. The primary effects on salt and water receptors resemble hydrocarbon narcosis of nerve. Effects on sugar receptors, when analyzed kinetically, superficially resemble competitive inhibition. Other evidence, however, indicates that a non‐specific effect on sugar receptor sites is more likely. The electrophysiological results from labellar chemoreceptors indicate that the previously reported hydrocarbon behavioral rejection thresholds are best explained by the inhibition of the sugar receptors. This conclusion is strengthened by further electrophysiological and behavioral tests on tarsal chemoreceptors.