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A physical model of nerve axon—I. Ionic distribution, potential profile, and resting potential

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Abstract

A theory which is based on a set of assumptions different from those of the sodium theory is developed. Here the mobile ions are considered to be distributed at Donnan equilibrium and the axoplasm is regarded as an analog of a cation-exchanger. Following the spirit of the Debye-Hückel theory, some important features of the ionic distribution and electrical potential of the nerve fiber have been calculated. The results appear to be in better agreement with the experimental observations than the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Rice University, 77001, Houston, TX

    Donald C. Chang

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Medical Center, 77025, Houston, TX

    Donald C. Chang

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  1. Donald C. Chang
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Additional information

A summary of this work has been reported in the 1974 March meeting of the American Physical Society and the 1976 annual meeting of the Biophysical Society.

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Chang, D.C. A physical model of nerve axon—I. Ionic distribution, potential profile, and resting potential. Bltn Mathcal Biology 39, 1–22 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02460678

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02460678

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