Propagation of the change in the membrane potential using a biocell-model.
A new model system of nerve conduction, which has two sites (the potential-sending and the potential-receiving sites) was constructed by the use of some liquid-membrane cells which mimic the function of the K(+) and Na(+) channels. The model system setup was such that the membrane potential of the K(+)-channel cell (resting potential) was different from that of the Na(+)-channel cell (action potential). Initially, the K(+)-channel cell at the potential-sending site was connected to that at the potential-receiving site. After switching from the K(+)-channel cell to the Na(+)-channel cell at the potential-sending site, the membrane potential of the K(+)-channel cell at the potential-receiving site began to vary with the generation of the circulating current. By placing several K(+)-channel cells in parallel at the potential-receiving site, the propagation mechanism of the action potential was interpreted and the influence of the resistor and the capacitor on the propagation was evaluated.
Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan. shiraio@kais.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
Yoshinari
Y
Takano
Osamu
O
Shirai
Yuki
Y
Kitazumi
Kenji
K
Kano
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D058045:Artificial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D025802:Electric Capacitance; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D011199:Potentiometry; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000378:metabolism
D015221:Potassium Channels; D015222:Sodium Channels