An hypothesis concerning the role of the Golgi apparatus in the phenomenon of memory.
The hypothesis considers the anatomy and physiology of the memory-storing neuron from the viewpoint that an eccentrically placed nucleus with a Golgi Apparatus situated between it and the proximate cell membrane could be the mechanism for the storage and retrieval of experience and thought processes. Metabolites which enter the Golgi Apparatus are filtered and refined before being discharged from the surface which faces the cell membrane. They travel by the shortest route to a special location on the nearest part of the cell membrane. At this "favoured spot" the action potential is reactivated before the metabolites reach other parts of the membrane. Afferent impulses arriving via the synapses at the "favoured spot" and its tributary dendrites have priority controls the specific polarity of the cell, enabling it to record, store and reproduce the memory of its initial stimulus. Reinforcing stimuli cause the eccentric nucleus and Golgi Apparatus to move nearer to the favoured spot. This mechanism could be the basis of memory. The hypothesis may be applied to other observed phenomenon of brain function and might be submitted to experiment confirmation.
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D002645:Chickens; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000502:physiology; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents