Slicing of potato shoot tissue depolarized very soon (possibly almost instataneously) the membrane electropotential (E
m) of their cells. Once depolarized E
m (about -70--80mV at first) was, however, restored and repolarized up to about -120mV in average in the first several or 1-1.5hr, when measured by inserting microelectrode into the cut surface cell or into inner cell of slice tissue, respectively. This transient depolarization and restoration of E
m was mostly due to change of the respiration dependent component (E
p) of E
m, which decreased at first and then increased in absolute value. The passive component (E
d) of E
m was almost constant (measured with surface cells) or slightly decreased (measured with inner tissue cells) in its absolute value. Several hr after slicing, E
d began to increase in its absolute value up to nearly about -100mV within a day, while E
p, instead, decreased again, resulting in maintenance of nearly constant level of E
m with small fluctuations (about -120--130mV for at least one day). The time when E
d began to increase coincided with the time of initiation of wound-responding physiological processes which need precedent activation of genetic system and protein svnthesis. The time when the hypersensitivity potential of potato slice against the infection by an incompatible race of
Phytophthora infestans began to rise after slicing, also coincided with this time. The electrophysiological response of potato cell to infection by the incompatible race was roughly classified into rapid and slow types response. In both types, absolute value of E
d began to decrease almost simultaneously with the penetration by the parasite and continued to decrease to -56--57mV in average. The rapid and slow types differed in the response of E
p to the infection. In the rapid response, the infection had little effect on E
p at first, but later gradually decreased its absolute value. In the slow type, E
p increased at first (later decreased) and appeared to compensate the decrease in E
d, resulting in slowing down of depolarization of E
m. Electric coupling between a cell infected by the incompatible race and adjacent uninfected cells appeared to be shut off in early stage of infection. The results suggested that plasmodesmata between the infected cell and its adjacent uninfected tissue might be shut off in early stage of infection.
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