The duration of action potentials from single nodes of Ranvier can be increased by several methods. Extraction of water from the node (e.g. by 2 to 3 M glycerin) causes increased durations up to 1000 msec. 1 to 5 min. after application of the glycerin the duration of the action potential again decreases to the normal value. Another type of prolonged action potential can be observed in solutions which contain K or Rb ions at concentrations between 50 mM and 2 M. The nodes respond only if the resting potential is restored by anodal current. The kinetics of these action potentials is slightly different. Their maximal durations are longer (up to 10 sec.). Like the normal action potential, they are initiated by cathodal make or anodal break. They also occur in external solutions which contain no sodium. The same type of action potentials as in KCl is found when the node is depolarized for some time (15 to 90 sec., 100 to 200 mv.) and is then stimulated by cathodal current. These action potentials require no K or Na ions in the external medium. Their maximal duration increases with the strength and duration of the preceding depolarization. The possible origin of the action potentials in KCl and after depolarization, and their relation to the normal action potentials and the negative after-potential are discussed.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1958

Effects of external currents on duration and amplitude of normal and prolonged action potentials from single nodes of Ranvier.

Duration and amplitude of normal and prolonged action potentials from single nodes of Ranvier vary as functions of potential changes induced by currents from an external source. The quantitative relations between externally applied potential and the resulting potential generated within the system are analyzed in order to obtain information about the kinetics of the electromotance,-potential,-and chemical changes taking place during excitation. The following preliminary conclusions are drawn: A depolarizing and a repolarizing process (positive and negative electromotance) increase and decrease with the potential. For a sudden potential displacement the negative electromotance reaches its new value at a faster rate than the positive electromotance. Since the individual values of the two electromotances depend on the potential and since they both generate a potential which is proportional to the difference of their absolute values, the values of either electromotance are determined by this difference as well as by any externally induced potential change.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1958

On the kinetics of potential, electromotance, and chemical change in the excitable system of nerve.

The kinetics of interaction between potential, chemical equilibrium, and electromotance in the excitable system of nerve are analyzed. The theoretical system has the following properties: It gives rise to two electromotances each of which depends directly on a chemical equilibrium. The equilibria are determined by the potential across the system. After a sudden potential shift the equilibria reach their new value with an exponential time course, the time constant of which is determined by the rate constants of the two reactions. The rate constants are different due to different activation energies. The two electromotances give rise to potentials of opposite sign. The total potential produced by the system is equal to the sum of the two potentials. The two equilibria are thus determined by any externally applied potential as well as by the sum of the internally produced potentials. The dependence of the equilibria on the potential is calculated from first principles. The equations which describe this system are solved by an analogue computer, which gives instantaneous solutions of the total internal potential as a function of time and any voltage applied from an external source. Comparison between recorded and computed action potentials shows excellent agreement under all experimental conditions. The electromotances might originate from a Ca(++)-Na(+)-K(+) exchange at fixed negative sites in the Schwann cell.

Action Potentials↗