Biomaterial Database

Direct measurement of potassium leak from single 3 M KCl microelectrodes. 1984

L C Stoner, and E Natke, and M K Dixon

Potassium loss was measured from individual microelectrodes filled with 3 M KCl. The potassium content of a distilled-water droplet into which a microelectrode was inserted for a known time interval was analyzed by helium-glow photometry. The rate of potassium loss from single microelectrodes (18-97 M omega) was within the detectable limits of this method. The rate of potassium loss appeared to decrease with increasing input resistance (determined in 0.16 M NaCl) for electrodes having a low resistance (18-50 M omega). Higher resistance electrodes (greater than 50 M omega) appeared to achieve a uniform rate of potassium loss of 3.5 fmol X s-1. Estimates of the rate of potassium loss calculated from the rate of swelling of impaled cells were identical to those measured directly on the same group of electrodes. We conclude the electrolyte loss not only occurs into a distilled-water drop but also during intracellular recording. An alternative method for fabrication of microelectrodes was tested. Of these electrodes, the ones having an input resistance greater than 50 M omega lost potassium at rates below 1 fmol X s-1.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008839	Microelectrodes	Electrodes with an extremely small tip, used in a voltage clamp or other apparatus to stimulate or record bioelectric potentials of single cells intracellularly or extracellularly. (Dorland, 28th ed)	Electrodes, Miniaturized,Electrode, Miniaturized,Microelectrode,Miniaturized Electrode,Miniaturized Electrodes
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D011189	Potassium Chloride	A white crystal or crystalline powder used in BUFFERS; FERTILIZERS; and EXPLOSIVES. It can be used to replenish ELECTROLYTES and restore WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE in treating HYPOKALEMIA.	Slow-K,Chloride, Potassium
D004594	Electrophysiology	The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D004868	Equipment Failure	Failure of equipment to perform to standard. The failure may be due to defects or improper use.	Defects, Equipment,Device Failure,Failure, Equipment,Malfunction, Equipment,Medical Device Failure,Misuse, Equipment,Device Failure, Medical,Device Failures, Medical,Failure, Medical Device,Failures, Medical Device,Defect, Equipment,Device Failures,Equipment Defect,Equipment Defects,Equipment Failures,Equipment Malfunction,Equipment Malfunctions,Equipment Misuse,Equipment Misuses,Failure, Device,Failures, Device,Failures, Equipment,Malfunctions, Equipment,Misuses, Equipment
D004912	Erythrocytes	Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN.	Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle
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
D014562	Urodela	An order of the Amphibia class which includes salamanders and newts. They are characterized by usually having slim bodies and tails, four limbs of about equal size (except in Sirenidae), and a reduction in skull bones.	Amphiuma,Caudata,Eel, Congo,Salamanders,Congo Eel,Congo Eels,Eels, Congo,Salamander