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biography
pronunciation:
[galvahnee]
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1737–98)
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| biography:
| Physiologist, born in Bologna, N Italy. He studied at Bologna, where he became professor of anatomy (1762). Investigating the effects of electrostatic stimuli applied to the muscle fibre of frogs, he discovered (1786) he could also make the muscle twitch by touching the nerve with various metals without a source of electrostatic charge, and greater reaction was obtained when two disimilar metals were used. He attributed the effect to ‘animal electricity’. His work inspired his friend Volta, leading to the production of the electrical battery, and also initiated research into electrophysiology. The galvanometer is named after him. |
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