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Journal of Experimental Biology 53,711-725 (1970)
Published by Company of Biologists 1970

Components of a Response Programme Involving Inhibitory and Excitatory Reflexes in the Surf Clam

DEFOREST MELLON JR. ¹ and DAVID J. PRIOR ¹

¹ Department of Biology, University of Virginia Charlottesville 22903

1. Electrical records from ganglion cells in the central nervous system and from intact muscle groups controlling siphon retraction and shell-valve adduction have revealed qualitative similarities in the response characteristics of two neurone-effector systems following stimulation of tactile afferents.

2. Simultaneous electrical records from neurones and muscle indicate that Type I ganglion cells are motoneurones to the fast portion of the posterior adductor muscle.

3. The waveform and polarity of the post-synaptic responses of Type 1 cells depend critically upon the intensity of stimulation over intact sensory pathways. High-intensity input transiently excites the fast portion of the adductor; low-intensity input inhibits the adductor motoneurones. The input organization of Type I neurones therefore permits discrimination of stimulus magnitude and thus controls the characteristics of the response programme.