Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 7 January 1966:
Vol. 151. no. 3706, pp. 88 - 89
DOI: 10.1126/science.151.3706.88
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Uncoupling of a Nerve Cell Membrane Junction by Calcium-Ion Removal

Richard D. Penn 1 and Werner R. Loewenstein 1

1 Physiology Department, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York

Calcium ion participates in maintaining electrical connections between the nerve cells of Retzius (Hirudo medicinalis). The conductance across the junction between these cells decreases with decreasing concentration of free, extracellular Ca++ At a certain level of Ca++ withdrawal from the cell system, junctional conductance reaches a critical low point at which the cells become functionally disconnected: the nerve impulses which are normally discharged in synchrony by the cells become asynchronous. These effects of Ca++ on junctional connection are irreversible, in contrast to those on nonjunctional surface membrane permeability.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Periventricular Cerebral Impedance after Intraventricular Injection of Calcium.
H. H. Wang, T. J. Tarby, R. T. Kado, and W. R. Adey (1966)
Science 154, 1183-1185
   Abstract »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)