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microelectrode

An electrode, with tip dimensions small enough (less than 1m) to allow nondestructive puncturing of the plasma membrane. This allows the intracellular recording of resting and action potentials, the measurement of intracellular ion and pH levels (using ion selective microelectrodes) or microinjection. Microelectrodes are generally pulled from glass capillaries and filled with conducting solutions of potassium chloride or potassium acetate to maximise conductivity near the tip. Electrical contact, if required, is usually made with a silver chloride coated silver wire.