Summary
Intracellular potentials from axons of monopolar neurons in the retina of the fly,Calliphora erythrocephala, were recorded by means of microglass capillaries. The cells studied were identified by marking with Procion-Yellow M-4R. By localizing the electrode tip, we were able to measure the distance between the recording site and the synapse. Our results have shown that: 1. the axons did not conduct discrete impulse potentials (spikes) but rather graded potentials. 2. The graded potentials were conducted without decrement. 3. The axonal responses depended on the degree of polarization of the axonal membrane. These results suggest that an active mechanism within the membrane exists which enables the decrement-free conduction of the graded potentials along the axon.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alawi, A.A., Pak, W.L.: On-transient of insect electroretinogram: its cellular origin. Science172, 1055–1057 (1971).
Autrum, H., Zettler, F., Järvilehto, M.: Postsynaptic potentials from a single monopolar neuron of the Ganglion Opticum I of the blowflyCalliphora. Z. vergl. Physiol.70, 414–424 (1970).
Boschek, C.B.: On the fine structure of the peripheral retina and Lamina ganglionaris of the fly,Musca domestica. Z. Zellforsch.118, 369–409 (1971).
Burtt, E.T., Catton, W.T.: Electrical responses to visual stimulation in the optic lobes of the locust and certain other insects. J. Physiol. (Lond.)133, 68–88 (1956).
Cajal, S.R., Sánchez, D.: Contribución al conocimiento de los centros nerviosos de los insectos. Trab. Lab. Invest. Biol. (Madrid)13, 1–168 (1915).
Ioannides, A.C., Walcott, B.: Graded illumination potentials from retinula cell axons in the bugLethocerus. Z. vergl. Physiol.71, 315–325 (1971).
Jack, J.J.B., Redman, S.J.: The propagation of transient potentials in some linear cable structures. J. Physiol. (Lond.)215, 283 (1971).
Järvilehto, M.: Lokalisierte intrazelluläre Ableitungen aus den Axonen der 8. Sehzelle der FliegeCalliphora erythrocephala. Dissertation der Universität München (1971).
—, Zettler, F.: Micro-localisation of laminalocated visual cell activities in the compound eye of the blowflyCalliphora. Z. vergl. Physiol.69, 134–138 (1970).
—: Localized intracellular potentials from preund postsynaptic components in the external plexiform layer of an insect retina. Z. vergl. Physiol.75, 422–440 (1971).
Kaneko, A.: Physiological and morphological identification of horizontal, bipolar and amacrine cells in goldfish retina. J. Physiol. (Lond.)207, 623–633 (1970).
Katz, B.: Nerv, Muskel und Synapse. Stuttgart: Thieme 1971.
Scholes, J.: The electrical responses of the retinal receptors and the lamina in the visual system of the flyMusca. Kybernetik6, 149–162 (1969).
Shaw, S.R.: Organization of the locust retina. Symp. Zool. Soc. Lond.23, 135–163 (1968).
Stretton, O.A.W., Kravitz, E.A.: Neuronal geometry: Determination with a technique of intracellular dye injection. Science162, 132–134 (1968).
Tiffe, H.W., Zelles, L., Paucksch, H., Ernst, D.E.W.: Quick-freeze fixation with halogenated hydrocarbons. Exp. Cell Res.63, 207 (1970).
Trujillo-Cenóz, O.: Some aspects of the structural organization of the intermediate retina of Dipterans. J. Ultrastruct. Res.13, 1–33 (1965).
—, Melamed, J.: On the fine structure of the photoreceptor—second optical neuron synapse in the insect retina. Z. Zellforsch.59, 71–77 (1963).
—: Light and electronmicroscope study of one of the systems of centrifugal fibers found in the lamina of Muscoid flies. Z. Zellforsch.110, 336–349 (1970).
Werblin, F.S.: Adaptation in a vertebrate retina: Intracellular recording inNecturus. J. Neurophysiol.34, 228–241 (1971).
—, Dowling, J.E.: Organization of the retina of the mudpuppy,Necturus maculosus. II. Intracellular recording. J. Neurophysiol.22, 339–355 (1969).
Zettler, F.: Kalt gefüllte Mikroglaskapillaren und ihre elektrophysiologisch relevanten Eigenschaften. Z. vergl. Physiol.67, 423–435 (1970).
—, Järvilehto, M.: Histologische Lokalisation der Ableitelektrode. Belichtungspotentiale aus Retina und Lamina beiCalliphora. Z. vergl. Physiol.68, 202–210 (1970).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
Sincere appreciation is expressed to Prof. H. Autrum for his continued interest and encouragement throughout this work. We also wish to thank Dr. R.E. Baker for translating the German manuscript into English.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zettler, F., Järvilehto, M. Decrement-free conduction of graded potentials along the axon of a monopolar neuron. Z. Vergl. Physiol. 75, 402–421 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00630560
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00630560