The latent period of the Limulus lateral eye receptor potential: action of chlorobutanol.

Excised lateral eye retinular cells of Limulus polyphemus exposed to chlorobutanol were examined using microelectrode techniques. The effects observed were: (1) a marked shortening of the receptor potential latent period; (2) a decrease in the effective input resistance of retinular cells to hyperpolariziog currents; and (3) a reduction in magnitude of retinular cell receptor and membrane potential. The magnitude of the changes were concentration dependent and reversible and were only produced by chlorobutanol and closely related compounds. Chlorobutanol does not alter the sodium permeability of the receptor cell membrane but it may increase the rate of the process or processes occurring during the latent period of the receptor potential.