[Electrical response of frog lingual epithelium to stimulation of the gustatory nerve]

Electrical stimulation of the gustatory nerve evoked a positive electrical response of the outer surface of the tongue (relative to its inner layers). The amplitude and the rate of rise of the response grew and the latency fell with increased frequency of stimulation. The response originated in the superficial epithelial layer (30-60 micrometers) and was produced by a decrease of "resting potential" (negative-outside) of this layer. The response was accompanied by a strong decrease of the superficial tongue layer resistance and arose probably as a result of short-circuiting of the epithelial layer by high-conductive nonspecific channels. Similar response accompanied by a decrease of the superficial tongue layer resistance was recorded with adequate stimulation (by acetic acid vapours). The results are compared with the response of the frog skin to the stimulation of cutaneous nerve.