[Study of the viscosity of excited membranes using combined dispersion spectroscopy]

Raman spectra and spin-labeled fatty acids of myelinated frog sciatic nerve and mollusc neurons at different temperature was investigated. The correlation between nerve and excitation and microviscosity of the membrane and cytosol lipids was found. This results is interpreted as reflecting an increase of fluidity of the hydrocarbon core of nerve membrane with temperature. Finding may be interpreted as transient "decreased-increased" fluidity of the membrane lipid during rhythmic excitation.