| Range |
18.5-37.1 m/sec
|
| Organism |
Cnidaria |
| Reference |
Nüchter T, Benoit M, Engel U, Ozbek S, Holstein TW. Nanosecond-scale kinetics of nematocyst discharge. Curr Biol. 2006 May 9 16(9):R316-8. p. R317 left columnPubMed ID16682335
|
| Method |
Researchers mimicked the receptor potential
triggering nematocyst discharge
[ref 6 in article] by applying a short-step
depolarization and analyzed
discharge in >1200 instances
with an electronic framing- streak
camera (for details see Figure S1 in
Supplemental Data). They resolved
the ultra-fast phase of discharge
by capturing an intermediate
stage between the resting capsule
and the fully ejected stylet at an
exposure time of 200 ns and a
framing rate of 1,430,000 fps. |
| Comments |
Analysis of the discharge revealed that the stylet tip travels a distance
(s) of 13 µm within a time (t) of
0.7–1.4 µs at an average velocity
(Vavg=s/t) of 9.3–18.6m/s. Assuming constant
acceleration from 1.35×10^6g up to
5.41×10^6g (BNID 105575, g = 9.81 m/sec2), researchers calculate that the
stylets hit the cuticle with a final
velocity (Vmax=a×t) of 18.5–37.1 m/s. (see BNID 105580). |
| Entered by |
Uri M |
| ID |
105579 |