In:
Journal of Neurophysiology, American Physiological Society, Vol. 51, No. 4 ( 1984-04-01), p. 689-704
Abstract:
The intracellular K activity (aKi) and membrane potential of sensory neurons in the leech central nervous system were measured in normal and altered external K+ concentrations, [K+]o, using double-barreled, liquid ion-exchanger microelectrodes. In control experiments membrane potential measurements were made using potassium chloride-filled single-barreled microelectrodes. All values are means +/- SD. At the normal [K+] o (4 mM) the mean aKi of all cells tested was 72.6 +/- 10.6 mM (n = 40) and the average membrane potential was -47.3 +/- 5.2 mM (n = 40). When measured with single-barreled microelectrodes, the membrane potential averaged -45.3 +/- 2.9 mV (n = 12). Assuming an intracellular K+ activity coefficient of 0.75, the intracellular K+ concentration of sensory neurons would be 96.8 +/- 14.1 mM). With an extracellular K+ concentration of 5.8 mM in the intact ganglion compared to the K+ concentration of 4 mM in the bath, the K+ equilibrium potential was -71.5 mV. When the ganglion capsule was opened, the extracellular K+ concentrations in the ganglion were similar to that of the bathing medium and the calculated K+ equilibrium potential was -81 mV. The membrane of sensory neurons depolarized following the changes to elevated [K+]o (greater than or equal to 10-100 mM), whereas aKi changed only little or not at all. At very low [K+] o (0.2, 0 mM) aKi and membrane potential showed little short-term (less than 3 min) effect but began to change after longer exposure (greater than 3 min). Reduction of [K+]o from 4 to 0.2 mM (or 0 mM) produced first a slow, and then a more rapid decrease of aKi and membrane resistance, accompanied by a slow membrane hyperpolarization. Following readdition of normal [K+] o, the membrane first depolarized and then transiently hyperpolarized, eventually returning slowly to the normal membrane potential.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-3077
,
1522-1598
DOI:
10.1152/jn.1984.51.4.689
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Physiological Society
Publication Date:
1984
detail.hit.zdb_id:
80161-6
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1467889-5
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