Summary
In this paper we shall first calculate the energy dissipated by the nerve for the maintaining of the resting potential despite the passive ion flows, and secondly the energy dissipated for the conduction of the action potential. Both these estimates consist in calculating, in the considered case, the Rayleigh dissipation function wellknown from the thermodynamics of irreversible processes (Katchalsky and Curran, 1965). Our results, obtained using only trustworthy data from the literature, are in good agreement with direct nerve energetics measurements.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abbott, B. C., Hill, A. V., Howarth, J. V.: Proc. Roy. Soc.148 B, 149–187 (1958).
Hill, A. V.: In: Molecular Biology. D. Nachmansohn, Editor. New York: Academic Press 1960.
Hodgkin, A. L., Huxley, A. F.: Cold Spring Harb. Symp. Quant. Biol.17, 43–52 (1952).
Hurlbut, W. P.: J. Gen. Physiol.41, 959–988 (1958).
Katchalsky, A., Curran, P. F.: Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics in Biophysics. Cambridge, Massachussetts: Harward University Press 1965.
Schoenheimer, R.: The Dynamic State of Body Constituents. Cambridge, Massachussetts: Harward University Press 1942.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Margineanu, D. Thermodynamical estimate of energy requirements of the nerve. Biophysik 6, 327–330 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01575327
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01575327