The Optimum Density of Sodium Channels in an Unmyelinated Nerve

In introducing this meeting I wish to refer to a theoretical development which may be relevant to some of our discussion. Present estimates suggest that the density of sodium channels varies between 2.5/(xm2 in the 0.2 pirn diameter axons of the olfactory nerve of the garfish (Colquhoun, Henderson &...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Biological sciences, 1975-06, Vol.270 (908), p.297-300
Main Author: Hodgkin, Alan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action potentials
Axons
Biological Transport, Active
Conduction
Current density
Low frequencies
Models, Neurological
Nerve fibers
Nerves
Neural Conduction
Neurons - metabolism
Sodium
Sodium - metabolism
Sodium channels
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Summary:In introducing this meeting I wish to refer to a theoretical development which may be relevant to some of our discussion. Present estimates suggest that the density of sodium channels varies between 2.5/(xm2 in the 0.2 pirn diameter axons of the olfactory nerve of the garfish (Colquhoun, Henderson & Ritchie 1972) to about 500/pim2 in the giant nerve fibres of the squid (Keynes & Rojas 1974). Since giant nerve fibres are considered to be an adaptation to rapid movement it is of interest to consider whether there is an optimum density of sodium channels at which conduction velocity is maximal. If this can be established it is then important to develop methods for calculating the optimum density on different sets of assumptions.
ISSN:0080-4622
0962-8436
2054-0280
DOI:10.1098/rstb.1975.0010