Single electroplaques of Torpedo nobiliana have been studied with microelectrode recording. Direct evidence is presented that the only electrogenically reactive membrane of the cells is on the innervated surface and that this membrane is electrically inexcitable. Responses are not evoked by depolarizing currents applied to this membrane, but only by stimulating the innervating nerve fibers. The responses arise after a latency of 1 to 3 msec. This latency is not affected by large depolarizing or hyperpolarizing changes in membrane potential. Various properties that have been theoretically associated with electrically inexcitable responses have been also demonstrated to occur in the electroplaques. The neurally evoked response is not propagated actively in the membrane and may have different amplitudes and forms in closely adjacent regions. The maximal responses frequently are slightly larger than the recorded resting potential but the apparent small overshoot may be due to difficulty in recording the full resting potential. The responses are subject to electrochemical gradation and appear inverted in sign on applying strong outward currents across the innervated membrane. This membrane is cholinoceptive and shows marked desensitization. The membrane of the uninnervated surface has a very low resistance, a factor that aids maximum output of current during the discharge of the electric organ.
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1 March 1961
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March 01 1961
The Electrophysiology of Electric Organs of Marine Electric Fishes : I. Properties of electroplaques of Torpedo nobiliana
M. V. L. Bennett,
M. V. L. Bennett
From the Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.
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M. Wurzel,
M. Wurzel
From the Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.
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H. Grundfest
H. Grundfest
From the Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.
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M. V. L. Bennett
From the Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.
M. Wurzel
From the Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.
H. Grundfest
From the Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.
Dr.Wurzel's present address is Department of Physiology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem
Received:
August 26 1960
Online ISSN: 1540-7748
Print ISSN: 0022-1295
Copyright, 1961, by The Rockefeller Institute
1961
J Gen Physiol (1961) 44 (4): 757–804.
Article history
Received:
August 26 1960
Citation
M. V. L. Bennett, M. Wurzel, H. Grundfest; The Electrophysiology of Electric Organs of Marine Electric Fishes : I. Properties of electroplaques of Torpedo nobiliana . J Gen Physiol 1 March 1961; 44 (4): 757–804. doi: https://doi.org/10.1085/jgp.44.4.757
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