Ba++ induced square-shaped potential waves in molluscan neurones.
Rhythmic slow square-shaped potential waves lasting 20-50 sec are induced in Aplysia neurones when Ca++ is replaced by Ba++. During the plateau, the membrane is highly permeable to Ba++ ions, whereas in the interwave period the membrane resistance increases by 60 times. Analysis with slow current ramps suggests that the membrane properties of Ba-treated neurones and normally burst-generating neurones are similar.
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001464:Barium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008974:Mollusca / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D001464:Barium; D002118:Calcium