INVESTIGATION OF THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF CURRENT ON THE CELLS OF THE L TYPE OF THE RETINA
Yu. A. Trifonov, I. A. Utina · 1966
Retinal cells can respond electrically without membrane resistance changes, revealing cellular mechanisms relevant to EMF research.
Plain English Summary
This 1966 study examined L-type retinal cells in tortoises, finding that these cells produce electrical responses without changing their membrane resistance. Unlike typical nerve cells, these horizontal retinal cells showed electrical activity that didn't correlate with membrane potential changes, suggesting a unique mechanism of cellular response.
Why This Matters
While this research predates modern EMF health concerns, it reveals fundamental principles about how cells respond to electrical stimulation that remain relevant today. The finding that some cells can produce electrical responses without changing membrane resistance challenges our basic understanding of cellular bioelectricity. This matters because modern EMF exposure research often assumes that biological effects require membrane changes. The reality is that cells may respond to electromagnetic fields through mechanisms we're still discovering. What this means for you is that the biological systems in your body, including your visual system, contain cells that can react to electrical signals in ways that don't follow conventional patterns. Understanding these basic cellular mechanisms helps us better interpret how modern EMF exposures might affect human health.
Finding
In fact, unlike the current passed through the intracellular electrode, a current through the retina changes the value of the reaction of cells of the L type: a current coming from the vitreous humour to the sclera reduces the reaction, while a current of opposite direction usually increases it [5]. Such changes may, in principle, occur if the resistance of the post-synaptic membrane increased during the reaction to light (R3-in the diagram).
In their words
“In fact, unlike the current passed through the intracellular electrode, a current through the retina changes the value of the reaction of cells of the L type: a current coming from the vitreous humour to the sclera reduces the reaction, while a current of opposite direction usually increases it [5]. Such changes may, in principle, occur if the resistance of the post-synaptic membrane increased during the reaction to light (R3-in the diagram).”
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagrams extracted from the original research document.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{investigation_of_the_mechanism_of_action_of_current_on_the_cells_of_the_l_type_o_g4990,
author = {Yu. A. Trifonov and I. A. Utina},
title = {INVESTIGATION OF THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF CURRENT ON THE CELLS OF THE L TYPE OF THE RETINA},
year = {1966},
}