Current-voltage relations during illumination: photoreceptor membrane of a barnacle.

ABSTRACT

In voltage clamped photoreceptor cells of the barnacle, light-induced membrane current varied nonlinearly with membrane potential and changed sign at about + 27 millivolts (reversal potential) independently of light intensity. Instantaneous current-voltage relations were linear and intersected the voltage axis at the reversal potential. Illumination increased membrane conductance that was dependent on membrane potential, light intensity, and time.