[Intracellular perfusion of the giant neurons of snails]

Abstract

The method is developed to perform intracellular perfusion of isolated Helix pomatia neurons. The cell is put under hydrostatic pressure into a pore in the plastic film separting the experimental chamber in two compartmentsmthe lower compartment is perfused with high-potassium solution that destroys the barrier properties of the lower part of the cell membrane. The upper compartment is oerfused with normal Ringer solution and the part of the membrane in contact with it demonstrates usual excitability; Replacement of the high-potassium solution in the lower compartment by a potassium-free one abolished the delayed outward current through the working part of the membrane indicating a free acess of ions to and from its inner surfacemthe investigated membrane maintains its excitability for several hours beeing perfused with the F- and PO4--salts of K+ and Tris