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. 1973 Nov;235(1):155–181. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1973.sp010382

Cyclic variation of potassium conductance in a burst-generating neurone in Aplysia

Douglas Junge, Cathy L Stephens
PMCID: PMC1350737  PMID: 4778133

Abstract

1. The hyperpolarization between bursts in the R 15 cell of Aplysia is accompanied by an increase in membrane slope conductance.

2. The post-burst hyperpolarization can be observed with ouabain, lithium, or potassium-free solution if artificial inward current is applied. The hyperpolarization can be observed with dinitrophenol or cooling to 10° C, with no injected current. Thus, the hyperpolarization apparently is not due to the cyclic activity of an electrogenic pump.

3. A reversal potential for the post-burst hyperpolarization can be demonstrated by passage of inward current during the inter-burst period. The reversal of direction of the potential depends on recent occurrence of a burst.

4. The reversal potential varies with external potassium concentration, but not with chloride or sodium.

5. The post-burst hyperpolarization is not blocked by external tetraethylammonium at a concentration which greatly prolongs the action potentials.

6. During the onset of spike blockage by, and recovery from, calcium-free+tetrodotoxin saline, the bursts of action potentials appear to be driven by endogenous waves of membrane potential.

7. The hyperpolarizing phase of the waves in calcium-free+tetrodotoxin medium is accompanied by an increased slope conductance.

8. A reversal potential can be demonstrated for the hyperpolarization following a wave in calcium-free+tetrodotoxin medium by applying inward current during the interwave period.

9. The waves in calcium-free+tetrodotoxin medium are blocked by ouabain but can be reinstated by artificial hyperpolarization.

10. The post-burst hyperpolarization and the post-wave hyperpolarization appear to result from a periodic increase in membrane conductance, primarily to potassium ions.

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Selected References

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