The Effect of CO₂, Intracellular pH and Extracellular pH on Mechanosensory Proprioceptor Responses in Crayfish and Crab

Authors

Viresh Dayaram, University of KentuckyFollow
Cole A. Malloy, University of KentuckyFollow
Sarah Martha, University of KentuckyFollow
Brenda Alvarez, University of KentuckyFollow
Ikenna Chukwudolue, University of KentuckyFollow
Nadera Dabbain, University of KentuckyFollow
Dlovan D.mahmood, University of KentuckyFollow
Slavina Goleva, University of KentuckyFollow
Tori Hickey, University of KentuckyFollow
Angel Ho, University of KentuckyFollow
Molly King, University of KentuckyFollow
Paige Kington, University of KentuckyFollow
Matthew Mattingly, University of KentuckyFollow
Samuel Potter, University of KentuckyFollow
Landon Simpson, University of KentuckyFollow
Amanda Spence, University of KentuckyFollow
Henry Uradu, University of KentuckyFollow
Jacob Van Doorn, University of KentuckyFollow
dlovan faiq, University of KentuckyFollow
Robin L. Cooper, University of KentuckyFollow

Abstract

Proprioceptive neurons monitor the movements of limbs and joints to transduce the movements into electrical signals. These neurons function similarly in species from arthropods to humans. These neurons can be compromised in disease states and in adverse environmental conditions such as with changes in external and internal pH. We used two model preparations (the crayfish muscle receptor organ and a chordotonal organ in the limb of a crab) to characterize the responses of these proprioceptors to external and internal pH changes as well as raised CO₂. The results demonstrate the proprioceptive organs are not highly sensitive to changes in extracellular pH, when reduced to 5.0 from 7.4. However, if intracellular pH is decreased by exposure to propionic acid or saline containing CO₂, there is a rapid decrease in firing rate in response to joint movements. The responses recover quickly upon reintroduction of normal pH (7.4) or saline not tainted with CO₂. These basic understandings may help to address the mechanistic properties of mechanosensitive receptors in other organisms, such as muscle spindles in skeletal muscles of mammals and tactile as well as pressure (i.e., blood pressure) sensory receptors.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2017

Notes/Citation Information

Published in the American Journal of Undergraduate Research, v. 14, issue 3, p. 85-99.

The American Journal of Undergraduate Research has granted the permission for posting the article here.

Funding Information

This work was funded by student laboratory fees for a course taught in Department of Biology, University of Kentucky and personal funds (RLC).

Repository Citation

Dayaram, Viresh; Malloy, Cole A.; Martha, Sarah; Alvarez, Brenda; Chukwudolue, Ikenna; Dabbain, Nadera; D.mahmood, Dlovan; Goleva, Slavina; Hickey, Tori; Ho, Angel; King, Molly; Kington, Paige; Mattingly, Matthew; Potter, Samuel; Simpson, Landon; Spence, Amanda; Uradu, Henry; Van Doorn, Jacob; faiq, dlovan; and Cooper, Robin L., "The Effect of CO₂, Intracellular pH and Extracellular pH on Mechanosensory Proprioceptor Responses in Crayfish and Crab" (2017). Biology Faculty Publications. 154.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/biology_facpub/154