Interactions of Radiofrequency Radiation with NITELLA: Electrical Excitation and Perturbation of the Control of Cytoplasmic Streaming.
Abstract
Radiofrequency radiation (RFR) of 0.5 Hz - 2.5 GHz, at field strengths on the order of 10 v/cm, has been shown to interact with isolate Nitella internodal cells in two separate and frequency dependent manners. At frequencies up to ca. 10 KHz, RFR acts to directly excite the cell membrane, eliciting an action potential and halting cytoplasmic streaming. There is no reason to believe the RF induced action potentials and accompanying streaming cessations occur through a mechanism different from that which results from conventionally applied excitatory stimuli. Microscopic observations of the streaming in cells exposed to RFR gave no evidence of direct action by the radiation upon the mechanism which generates the motive force. Streaming alterations, however, did indirectly indicate the existence of a field induced disruption of the calcium ion release which normally occurs upon membrane excitation. On the bais of these observations and previously reported theoretical models of RF interactions with biological systems, a molecular mechanism for the electrically mediated release of calcium ion is presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA116713
Entities
People
- Lenora S. Wong
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology