Student Work

Neuromuscular transmitters in the horseshoe crab : Limulus polyphemus

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We assayed three amino acid neuromuscular transmitters (1 Molar in artificial seawater) on muscles of the chelicerate arthropod, Limulus polyphemus. Muscle fiber responses in semi-intact first-instar juvenile walking legs were recorded via videomicroscope. Glutamate, the primary excitor of insect and crustacean muscle, and Aspartate, sometimes co-released with Glutamate (lobster), each elicited strong rhythmic muscle contractions, but a 1:1 mixture of the two elicited even stronger contractions. Although inhibitory on insect and crustacean muscles, y-amino butyrate (GABA) was excitatory in Limulus.

  • This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.
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Identifier
  • 01C012M
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Year
  • 2001
Date created
  • 2001-01-01
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