A theoretical study on heat production in squid giant axon

The heat produced by action currents during the upstroke of the action potential in the squid axon has been calculated. Equations were developed and it was demonstrated that the phase plane area, obtained from nerve action potential upstroke, is a measure of the heat liberated at the axoplasmic level. Assuming the Hodgkin and Huxley model, it was possible to show that the axoplasmic heat is a constant fraction of the total Joule heating.