Sensory Control of Respiratory Pumping in Aplysia Californica

Abstract

The frequency of respiratory pumping in Aplysia increases when CO2 is bubbled through the bathing sea water. Air, O2 and N2 do not have this effect. The sensitivity to CO2 may be mediated by receptors which are sensitive to pH changes within the range encountered during hypercapnia. In addition to the frequency change during hypercapnia, increases in the rate of pumping occur after titration to low pH with hydrochloric, acetic, nitric and sulphuric acids, thus indicating sensitivity to changes in the concentration of hydrogen ions and not to any specific anions. High pH and large deviations from normal in the tonicity of the sea water are ineffective in influencing the rate of pumping. The locus of pH sensitivity resides primarily within the mantle cavity. Lesions of the osphradium indicate that this chemosensory organ mediates a large degree of sensory control over respiratory pumping.