| Abstract: | A model describing slow oscillations of membrane potential in molluscan neurons is suggested. It is based on the view that the depolarization phase is due to the slow calcium current, whereas the hyperpolarization phase is due to the potassium current activated by intracellular Ca ions. It is shown that depending on values of the parameters of the model there are three possible types of electrical activity of the neurons: stable membrane hyperpolarization up to the resting potential which is between ?49 and ?53 mV; slow oscillations of membrane potential from ?30 to ?60 mV, with a period of 12–17 sec, and stable membrane depolarization to between ?40 and ?30 mV, which may lead to the onset of stable rhythmic activity of these neurons. Dependence of the amplitude of the oscillations of potential on the extracellular concentration of Ca, K, and Na ions was calculated and agrees qualitatively with the experimental data of Barker and Gainer 4]. |
