Polyphasic synaptic potentials in the ganglion of the mollusc, Navanax

1. Included in the ensemble of synaptic input received by identified neurones in the ganglion of the marine mollusc Navanax are biphasic synaptic potentials, consisting of a depolarization followed by a hyperpolarization. 2. Both phases are chemically mediated as judged by their susceptibility to a high magnesium medium and neither exhibits depression with repetition. 3. The hyperpolarizing phase has a reversal potential of about -50mV, which varies only with changes in the external chloride concentration. This phase is unaffected by cholinolytics. 4. The depolarizing phase reverses at a more positive potential, is probably the result of a change in sodium conductance and is blocked by hexamethonium and high concentrations of eserine. 5. The biphasic synaptic potentials are therefore similar in many respects to the biphasic response evoked by iontophoretic application of acetylcholine on to these cells, suggesting that the two types of cholinergic receptors previously characterized on these neurones are both functional.