An electrodiffusion model for negative resistance of excitable nerve axon membranes

Date

1972

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

In developing a model for the steady-state negative resistance of the squid axon from the standpoint of electrodiffusion, the following assumptions produce results which are in reasonable agreement with experimental observations: (1) The electric field in the squid axon membrane is essentially uniform and (2) Na+ and K+ cations move according to a single file interstitial migration mechanism and independently of each other. Assumptions (1) and (2) are sufficient for the appearance of a negative resistance. An important conclusion drawn from the results is that the currents crossing the axon membrane need not depend on mechanisms such as ion-specific carriers, chemical gates, redistribution of pores, etc. Any of these may be involved, but there is at present apparently no theoretical necessity to include them as effective causes.

Description

Keywords

Citation