Abstract
We have studied fluctuations in membrane PD in Chara australis at frequencies between 1 and 500 mHz, by classical noise analysis and by inspection of the PD time-course. The former shows (1) a quasi-Lorentzian (1/f 2) rise of noise power as frequency falls, and (2) a marked increase in noise power when the cell is exposed to high salinity (Chara australis is a salt-sensitive species). The latter shows that, as well as initiating depolarization, exposure to 50 mM Na as either chloride or sulfate usually initiates a continuous but random series of small depolarizations which gives rise to the increase in noise and whose mechanism is discussed.
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“Proteins, membranes and cells: the structure-function nexus”. Contributions from the annual scientific meeting (including a special symposium in honour of Professor Alex Hope of Flinders University, South Australia) of the Australian Society for Biophysics held in Canberra, ACT, Australia, 28 September–1 October 2008.
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Al Khazaaly, S., Alan Walker, N., Beilby, M.J. et al. Membrane potential fluctuations in Chara australis: a characteristic signature of high external sodium. Eur Biophys J 39, 167–174 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00249-009-0485-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00249-009-0485-2