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Frogs and bioelectricity

19 July 2011
Electromagnetism

This story is at www.physorg.com/print230207865.html where it seems bioelectrical signals for normal head and facial formation in an organism has been captured in a time lapse video of the face of a tadpole. Published in the journal of Developmental Dynamics, biologists have found that before the face of a tadpole developed bioelectricl signals caused groups of cells to form patterns marked by different membrane voltage and pH levels. Hyperpolarised negatively charged areas shone brightly while other parts of the face were distinctly darker, an 'electric face' they say. The biologist concerned said he was not expecting the result – it was a jaw dropper. However, he has spent years studying bioelectrical patterning and left-right developmental differences using a camera hooked up to a microscope that sends images to a computer. Does this mean the ideas of Rupert Sheldrake will be taken down from the shelf and dusted off for a rethink?

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