Abstract
THE action potential of nerve or muscle is an all-or-none response when preceded by a critical decrease in transmembrane potential. Previous investigations1–3, on the other hand, have indicated that for hyperpolarization by anodal (inward) currents the membrane's properties are a continuous function of current. I wish to report, however, that in a potassium-enriched medium the squid giant axon displays a discontinuous rise in membrane potential for a sufficiently intense anodal current and that this behaviour is, in several respects, similar to that of the action potential.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Cole, K. S., and Curtis, H. J., J. Gen. Physiol., 24, 551 (1941).
Hodgkin, A. L., Huxley, A. F., and Katz, B., J. Physiol., 116, 424 (1952).
Jenerick, H. P., J. Cell. Comp. Physiol., 42, 427 (1953).
Tasaki, I., J. Gen. Physiol., 39, 377 (1956).
Tasaki, I., and Hagiwara, S., J. Gen. Physiol., 40, 859 (1957).
Weidmann, S., J. Physiol., 115, 227 (1951).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SEGAL, J. An Anodal Threshold Phenomenon in the Squid Giant Axon. Nature 182, 1370 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1038/1821370a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1821370a0
This article is cited by
-
Periodic responses in squid axon membrane exposed intracellularly and extracellularly to solutions containing a single species of salt
The Journal of Membrane Biology (1981)
-
Membrane potential clamping in horizontal cells of the fish retina
Neurophysiology (1978)
-
Fluorescence of squid axon membrane labelled with hydrophobic probes
The Journal of Membrane Biology (1972)
-
Investigation of the nature of electrical responses of horizontal cells of the fish retina
Neurophysiology (1971)
-
The role of temperature in the process of excitation of biological membranes
Il Nuovo Cimento (1964)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.