spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


spacer gif
     Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents    

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Davis, R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Davis, R.

Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 123, Issue 1 401-408, Copyright © 1986 by Company of Biologists

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Influence of oxygen on the heartbeat rhythm of the leech

RL Davis

Raising and lowering the oxygen content in the fluid bathing the skin of the leech modified the frequency of the heartbeat. In raised concentrations of oxygen, the period between bursts of impulses in the heart excitor motoneurones (HE cells) was reduced. Conversely, with lowered oxygen concentrations bathing the skin, the heart rate was slowed, with longer periods between bursts of firing in the HE motoneurones. Changes in oxygen concentration did not affect HE motoneurone firing patterns in preparations in which the CNS was dissected from the skin and surrounding body tissues. Various other stimuli were tried, including stroking, pinching, stretching the skin, blood vessels and gut, as well as changing the temperature. None of these stimuli mimicked the specific effects of oxygen on rhythmicity. It is concluded that peripheral receptors sensitive to changes in oxygen tension are able to influence the central neuronal circuits responsible for generating the rhythm of the heartbeat.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
A. Wenning and E. P. Meyer
Hemodynamics in the leech: blood flow in two hearts switching between two constriction patterns
J. Exp. Biol., August 1, 2007; 210(15): 2627 - 2636.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
A. Wenning, A. A. V. Hill, and R. L. Calabrese
Heartbeat Control in Leeches. II. Fictive Motor Pattern
J Neurophysiol, January 1, 2004; 91(1): 397 - 409.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1986