INTRACELLULAR PERFUSION OF CHILEAN GIANT SQUID AXONS

Axons of the Chilean giant squid were subjected to continuous intracellular perfusion with either potassium- or sodium-rich salt solutions. In axons immersed in natural sea water and internally perfused with potassium glutamate solution, action potentials which exceeded 160 millivolts were often observed. The resting potential did not vary appreciably with the internal concentration of potassium glutamate. With perfusing solutions containing sodium aspartate or sodium glutamate, action potentials were observed which exceeded the value calculated from the Nernst equation applied to sodium-ion activity. Nervous conduction could be maintained more than 1 hour with equal concentrations of sodium inside and outside the axon.