acute cortical slice · 32 °C ACSF · stimulating electrode in layer 4Score 0Pipettes 0Cells recorded 0
Oscilloscope
No pipette
VC
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Pipette puller
522
More heat → thinner tip → higher resistance. 4–7 MΩ is the sweet spot.
Micromanipulator arrows · W/S · E/D focus
X/Y
Z
Focus
Pressure mouth / syringe line
0 mbar
Amplifier
−70 mV
0 %
Protocols
Perfusion bath-applied drugs
Results — this cell
Lab notebook
Log
Whole-cell patch clamp
You're at an electrophysiology rig. Under the 40× water-immersion objective is a 300 µm thick slice of mouse cortex, kept alive in warm oxygenated ACSF. Your job: seal a glass pipette onto a neuron, break into it, and record its currents and action potentials.
Pull a pipette (aim for 4–7 MΩ).
Positive pressure on (~70 mbar) before the tip touches the bath. Lower it in; zero the pipette offset.
Lower toward the slice. Pick a healthy cell: smooth and pale, no visible nucleus. Avoid dark, wrinkled or swollen ones.
Bring the tip against the cell until the resistance rises 10–20 % (a dimple). Release the pressure.