Bioelectric phenomena related to protein-fixed charge in a crab nerve fiber
Abstract:
The bioelectrical characteristics of a crab nerve fiber subjected to solutions containing the impermeant anions ferrocyanide, glutamate, or ethanolsulfate substituted for chloride include prolonged slow depolarizations that elicit prolonged trains of impulses sulperimposed on the plateau portion. Propionate and nitrate depress repetitive firing while thiocyancite has only a slighit effect. Nerves treated with ferrocyanide lose potassium and gain sodium, which fact may account for their depolarization. On the other hand, studies with interference microscopy reveal shift by ferrocyanide in the interference fringe pattern of the sheath material; this suggests a reorientation of fixed charges in the protein layers by direct action of the anion on these layers. This may also account for the electrical manifestations observed.
Related Concept Videos
Action Potentials
The Resting Membrane Potential
Resting Membrane Potential
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...
Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview
The electrical gradient: The electrical gradient across cell membranes refers to the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a cell. This difference drives the movement of ions towards or away from the cells. For instance, if the inside of the cell is more negatively charged relative to the...
Resting Membrane Potential
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...
The Electrical Double Layer


