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The ionic requirements for the production of action potentials in helix pomatia neurones

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Summary

  1. 1.

    The effect of polarizing currents, ions and drugs on the action potentials of individual neurones in the sub-oesophageal ganglion of the snail Helix pomatia has been examined.

  2. 2.

    The current-voltage relation showed a marked decrease of resistance for the outward current (delayed rectification). AtI=0, the average membrane resistance was 8.3 kΩ×cm2.

  3. 3.

    Tetrodotoxin in a concentration of 4.6×10−6 g/ml did not affect the overshoot or the maximum rate of rise. 0.4% cocaine inhibited delayed rectification, but did not abolish the action potential.

  4. 4.

    Ringer solution with twice the normal Na concentration augmented the overshoot by 5–6 mV and increased the maximum rate of rise to 130% of its normal value. Na-free Ringer decreased the overshoot by only 5–8 mV and reduced the maximum rate of rise to about half its normal value.

  5. 5.

    Even after prolonged perfusion with Na-free solution action potentials were still obtained. The overshoot stayed constant during a 2 hours perfusion period whereas the maximum rate of rise declined slowly. Na-free Ringer with Mn depressed the spike.

  6. 6.

    Raising the Ca concentration of the Na-free Ringer increased the overshoot (average 15.9 mV for a 10-fold increase of [Ca]0), shifted the threshold potential towards zero and slightly augmented the maximum rate of rise.

  7. 7.

    Nominally Ca-free solution markedly reduced the action potential. Excitability was maintained in Na- and Ca-free Ringer with 10 mM Sr or Ba.

  8. 8.

    Part of the results could be explained by assuming a reservoir of Na+ ions in or close to the cell membrane. An alternative explanation is that Ca++ ions participate in carrying charge across the membrane during the rising phase of the action potential. The second hypothesis appears more likely although a definite decision could not be reached.

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  1. I. Physiologisches Institut der Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar

    Hans Meves

  2. Physiologisches Institut der Universität Kiel, Olshausenstraße 40-60, 2300, Kiel

    Hans Meves

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Meves, H. The ionic requirements for the production of action potentials in helix pomatia neurones. Pflugers Arch. 304, 215–241 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00592126

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00592126

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