Investigation of the chemosensory function of amphids of Syngamus trachea using electrophysiological techniques.

Syngamus trachea, the gape nematode, has been used as a model to study the chemosensory function of amphids. Extracellular electrophysiological recordings were performed directly on amphids. The amphids were stimulated by blood serum from a host bird and by D-tryptophan. The spike frequency produced by the amphid increased significantly after the application of the serum and the application of D-tryptophan. Two types of amphidial neurones responded to the presence of the stimuli. These extracellular recordings have verified the chemosensory function of the amphids.