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Journal of Experimental Biology 59,447-461 (1973)
Published by Company of Biologists 1973

An Electrophysiological Study of the Sodium and Potassium Permeabilities of Insect Peripheral Nerves

Y. PICHON ¹ and J. E. TREHERNE ²

¹ A.R.C. Unit of Invertebrate Chemistry and Physiology, Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ; Unité de Physiologie de l'Insecte, Laboratoire de Neurobiologie Cellulaire, C.N.R.A., 91150 Gif sur Yvette, France
² A.R.C. Unit of Invertebrate Chemistry and Physiology, Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ

1. Experiments carried out in situ, using suction electrodes, and in vitro, using the ‘sucrose-gap’, have demonstrated a restricted access of sodium and potassium ions to the axon surfaces in crural nerves of the cockroach Periplaneta americana and the locust Schistocerca gregaria.

2. Elevation of the external potassium concentration produced appreciable extra-neuronal potential changes in intact crural nerves of the locust.

3. In the locust the presence of the over lying fat body sheath was found to alter the time course of potassium-induced d.c. potential changes.

4. In particular, an initial lag period in the d.c. response is described and tentatively interpreted in terms of a cation reservoir effect.