Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
Spring 5-31-2012
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biology - (M.S.)
Department
Federated Department of Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Andrew Hill
Second Advisor
Jorge P. Golowasch
Third Advisor
Robert A. O'Brien
Abstract
The hypoxic respiratory response in mammals consists of a transit increase in the respiratory frequency (augmentation phase) followed by a decrease in frequency (depression phase). To understand how the central respiratory system contributes to this response, the in vitro transverse brainstem slice model is used, which contains the pre-Bötzinger Complex, which is responsible for respiratory rhythm generation. The in vitro experiments performed for this thesis provide evidence that external barium exposure alters respiratory activity and significantly increases (P<0.00 1) the voltage of tonic activity under control oxygen conditions (95% FO2). During severe hypoxia (0% FO2), respiratory tonic activity is significantly elevatedduring the depression phase (from 0.55 to 0.95, n=6, P<0.001) by external barium, presumablydue to the closing of K+ channels and a reduction in K+ conductance.
Recommended Citation
Xu, Gaofeng, "The functional effects of barium and hypoxia on the in vitro respiratory activity" (2012). Theses. 126.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/126
