Effect of increased potassium concentrations on particle motion within a neurosecretory structure.

Intensity fluctuation spectroscopy was used to detect particle motion within the pericardial organ of the crab Carcinus while it was perfused with media with increased potassium concentrations. Replacement of some or all of the sodium ions of the normal medium with potassium ions caused a graded increase in motion. Evidence is presented which indicates that this effect is not a consequence of membrane depolarization or calcium ion influx, but is due to the flux of potassium chloride and water into the cytoplasm of the cells.