Calcium clamp of the intracellular environment.

Quantitative analysis of the effects of calcium on cell function requires methods for altering intracellular free Ca in a precise and reproducible manner. Microinjection of Ca is very unreliable largely because of the powerful Ca-binding properties of cytoplasm. Much more satisfactory are microinjection of Ca-buffers - provided enough buffer is introduced - and various forms of intracellular dialysis and perfusion which permit full equilibration of the cell interior with a defined artificial intracellular environment.