Electrical constants of trabecular muscle from mammalian heart. 1970

S Weidmann

1. The passive electrical properties of muscle bundles obtained from the right ventricle of sheep or calf hearts were determined. Preparations were kept in silicon oil; through extracellular electrodes constant current pulses were made to flow between the ends of the bundles.2. Using micro-electrodes for potential recording, the following data were obtained: (i) a space constant of 880 mu; (ii) a membrane time constant of 4.4 msec; (iii) a ratio of intra-to-extracellular longitudinal resistance of 3.5: 1; (iv) a conduction velocity of 0.75 m/sec.3. The intracellular specific resistance (R(i)) in the longitudinal direction was 470Omega cm, corresponding to 3 times R(i) of Purkinje fibres or 9 times the specific resistance of Tyrode solution.4. A calculation of specific membrane resistance (R(m)) and capacity (C(m)) was up against uncertainties in estimating the surface area. Taking morphological data as obtained by light microscopy, R(m) works out at 9100Omega cm(2), C(m) 0.81 muF/cm(2). Electron micrographs suggest that the true surface membrane might be either larger (T-tubules) or smaller (tight junctions between parallel fibres) than the surface area as seen by the light microscope.5. The apparently small value of C(m) seems to indicate that the flow of current between ;outside' and ;inside' is restricted to only a fraction of the fibre surface, while a considerable part of the contact area between parallel fibres is of the low-resistance type. This would provide for functional connexions not only at the level of intercalated disks, but also along parallel-running fibres.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D002417 Cattle Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor. Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D002463 Cell Membrane Permeability A quality of cell membranes which permits the passage of solvents and solutes into and out of cells. Permeability, Cell Membrane
D004553 Electric Conductivity The ability of a substrate to allow the passage of ELECTRONS. Electrical Conductivity,Conductivity, Electric,Conductivity, Electrical
D004566 Electrodes Electric conductors through which electric currents enter or leave a medium, whether it be an electrolytic solution, solid, molten mass, gas, or vacuum. Anode,Anode Materials,Cathode,Cathode Materials,Anode Material,Anodes,Cathode Material,Cathodes,Electrode,Material, Anode,Material, Cathode
D006321 Heart The hollow, muscular organ that maintains the circulation of the blood. Hearts
D000200 Action Potentials Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli. Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012756 Sheep Any of the ruminant mammals with curved horns in the genus Ovis, family Bovidae. They possess lachrymal grooves and interdigital glands, which are absent in GOATS. Ovis,Sheep, Dall,Dall Sheep,Ovis dalli
D066298 In Vitro Techniques Methods to study reactions or processes taking place in an artificial environment outside the living organism. In Vitro Test,In Vitro Testing,In Vitro Tests,In Vitro as Topic,In Vitro,In Vitro Technique,In Vitro Testings,Technique, In Vitro,Techniques, In Vitro,Test, In Vitro,Testing, In Vitro,Testings, In Vitro,Tests, In Vitro,Vitro Testing, In

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