SpringerLink
Log in

The response of the honeybee antennal CO2-receptors to N2O and Xe

  • Published:
Journal of comparative physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The response properties of the antennal CO2-receptors in workers ofApis mellifera L. were studied electrophysiologically by extracellular recordings from single cells.

  1. 1.

    For a proportion (>50%) of the receptors, the absolute sensitivities to CO2 are higher than previously observed.

  2. 2.

    The spontaneous spike discharge and the response to C02 are reversibly inhibited by the inert gases N2O and Xe; N2O has a marginally stronger effect than Xe.

  3. 3.

    For a gas mixture containing a given CO2-concentration above threshold the inhibition consists primarily of an increase in the response latency which is found to be proportional to the inhibitor concentration.

  4. 4.

    For a given concentration of N2O or Xe, the magnitude of this effect decreases proportionally with an increase in CO2-concentration.

  5. 5.

    A simple empirical equation for the latency as a function of the concentrations of excitatory stimulus and inhibitor is derived from the data.

  6. 6.

    It is investigated to what extent the experimental findings are consistent with kinetic models based on the law of mass-action.

  7. 7.

    It is suggested that the inhibition occurs via molecular ordering effects in the aqueous or lipid phases of either the cell membrane or the surrounding medium.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Germany)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amoore, J. E.: Stereochemical and vibrational theories of odour. Nature (Lond.)233, 271–272 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Amoore, J. E., Johnston, J. W., Rubin, M.: The stereochemical theory of odour. Sci. Amer.210, 42–51 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beidler, L. M.: A theory of taste stimulation. J. gen. Physiol.38, 133–139 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beidler, L. M.: The chemical senses. Ann. Rev. Psychol.12, 363–388 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boeckh, J.: Inhibition and excitation of single insect olfactory receptors, and their role as a primary sensory code. In: Olfaction and taste II, p. 721–735. Oxford-New York: Pergamon Press 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A. M.: Effects of CO2 and pH on neuronal membranes. Fed. Proc.31, 1399–1403 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, M. J.: Carbonic anhydrase: isoenzymes, properties, distribution, and functional significance. Biol. Rev.47, 465–513 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Changeux, J. P., Thiery, J., Tung, Y., Kittel, L.: On the cooperativity of biological membranes. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.)57, 335–341 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chauvin, R.: Traité de biologie de l'abeille, vol. I, ch. 4. Paris: Masson & Cie 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Christiansen, E., Magid, E.: Effects of phosphate, HEPES, N2O and CO on the kinetics of human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrases B and C. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.)220, 630–632 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clements, D. A., Wilson, K. M.: The affinity of narcotic agents for interfacial films. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.)48, 1008–1014 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cullen, S. C., Gross, E. G.: The anaesthetic properties of xenon in animals and human beings, with additional observations on krypton. Science113, 580–582 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

  • Diesendorf, M., Stange, G., Snyder, A. W.: A theoretical investigation of radiation mechanisms of insect ohemoreception. Proc. roy. Soc. B (in press) (1973)

  • Doolittle, R. E., Beroza, M., Keiser, I., Schneider, E. L.: Deuteration of the melon fly attractant, cue-lure, and its effect on olfactory response and infra-red absorption. J. Insect Physiol.14, 1697–1712 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dumpert, K.: Alarmstoffrezeptoren auf der Antenne vonLasius fuliginosus (Latr.) (Hymenoptera, Pormicidae). Z. vergl. Physiol.76, 403–425 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyson, G. M.: The Raman effect and the concept of adour. Perfum. Essent. Oil Rec.28, 13–19 (1937)

    Google Scholar 

  • Glew, D. N., Mak, H. D., Rath, N. S.: Aqueous noneleotrolyte solutions. Water shell stabilization by interstitial molecules. In: Hydrogen bonded solvent systems. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Halsey, M. D., Smith, E. B.: Effects of anaesthetics on luminous bacteria. Nature (Lond.)227, 1363–1365 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegeman, S. L., Featherstone, R. M.: Studies on the sites of action of xenon and cyclopropane inEscherichia coli. Fed. Proc.28, 475 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hummel, K. E., Gaston, L. K., Shorey, H. H.: Biological activities of insect sex pheromones and parapheromones. 14. International Congress of Entomology, Canberra (1972)

  • Kafka, W. A.: Molekulare Wechselwirkungen bei der Erregung einzelner Riechzellen. Z. vergl. Physiol.70, 105–143 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kafka, W. A.: An olfactory acceptor in the migratory locust. In: Olfaction and taste IV, p. 174–179. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaissling, K. E.: Kinetics of olfactory receptor potentials. In: Olfaction and taste III, p. 52–70. New York: Rockefeller University Press 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaissling, K. E.: Kinetic studies of transduction in olfactory receptors ofBombyx mori. In: Olfaction and taste IV, p. 207–213. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellog, F. E.: Water vapour and carbon dioxide receptors inAedes aegypti. J. Insect Physiol.16, 99–108 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Khalifah, R. G.: The carbon dioxide hydration activity of carbonic anhydrase. J. biol. Chem.246, 2561–2573 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacher, V.: Elektrophysiologische Untersuchungen an einzelnen Rezeptoren für Geruch, Kohlendioxyd, Luftfeuchtigkeit und Temperatur auf den Antennen der Arbeitsbiene und der Drohne (Apis mdlifica L.). Z. vergl. Physiol.48, 587–623 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacher, V.: Verhaltensreaktionen der Bienenarbeiterin bei Dressur auf Kohlendioxid. Z. vergl. Physiol.54, 75–84 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, J. H., Loomis, W. F., Tobias, C. A., Turpin, F. H.: Preliminary observations on the narcotic effect of xenon with a review of values for solubilities of gases in water and oils. J. Physiol. (Lond.)105, 197–204 (1946)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lever, M. D., Miller, K. W., Paton, W. D. M., Smith, E. B.: Pressure reversal of anaesthesia. Nature (Lond.)231, 368–371 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, K. W., Paton, W. D. M., Smith, E. B., Smith, R. A.: Physicochemical approaches to the mode of action of general anaesthetics. Anesthesiology36, 339–351 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, S. L.: Theory of gaseous anaesthetics. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.)47, 1515–1524 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Morita, H.: Electrical signs of taste receptor activity. In: Olfaction and taste III, p. 370–381. New York: Rockefeller University Press 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Mullins, L. J.: Olfaction. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.62, 247–276 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauling, L.: A molecular theory of general anaesthesia. Science134, 15–21 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Riepe, M. E., Wang, D. H.: Infrared studies on the mechanism of action of carbonic anhydrase. J. biol. Chem.243, 2779–2787 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, D., Block, B. C., Boeckh, D., Priesner, E.: Die Reaktion der männlichen Seidenspinner auf Bombykol und seine Isomeren; Elektroantennogramm und Verhalten. Z. vergl. Physiol.54, 192–209 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Seeman, P.: The membrane actions of anaesthetics and transquilizers. Pharmacol. Rev.24, 583–657 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer, S. J., Nicolson, G. L.: The fluid mosaic model of the structure of cell membranes. Science175, 720–731 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vareschi, E.: Duftunterscheidung bei der Honigbiene. — Einzelzell-Ableitungen und Verhaltensreaktionen. Z. vergl. Physiol.75, 143–173 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, R. H.: Odour and chemical constitution. Nature (Lond.)173, 831 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, R. H.: Stereochemical and vibrational theories of odour. Nature (Lond.)239, 226 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, R. H., Brand, D. M.: Correlation of ant alarm pheromone activity with molecular vibration. Nature (Lond.)239, 225–226 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, R. H., Burgess, R. E.: Specific physicochemical mechanisms of olfactory stimulation. In: Taste and smell in vertebrates, p. 325–342. London: J. & A. Churchill 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, R. H., Reid, C., Evans, H. G. V.: Odour and molecular vibration. III. A new theory of olfactory stimulation. Chem. and Indust.37, 973–977 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, A.C.T.

    Gert Stange

  2. Department of Applied Mathematics, Australian National University, Canberra, A.C.T.

    Mark Diesendorf

Authors
  1. Gert Stange
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mark Diesendorf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The authors are deeply indebted to Professor Dr. G. A. Horridge, F. R. S., F. A. A. for stimulating discussions and suggestions and to Dr. J. Denburg and Miss J. Kien for many helpful comments.

Queen Elizabeth II Fellow.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stange, G., Diesendorf, M. The response of the honeybee antennal CO2-receptors to N2O and Xe. J. Comp. Physiol. 86, 139–158 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00702534

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00702534

Keywords

Search

Navigation