Contributions of the sodium pump and ionic gradients to the membrane potential of a molluscan neurone

Abstract

1. The membrane potential of the gastro-oesophageal giant neurone of the marine mollusc, Anisodoris nobilis, was examined during changes of temperature and of the ionic medium.2. The response of the membrane potential to rapid changes in the external K concentration was prompt, stable, and reversible up to 200 mM-K, and was independent of the external Cl concentration.3. Warming the cell produced a prompt hyperpolarization that was approximately 10 times greater than predicted by the Nernst or constant field equations. Electrogenic activity of the Na-K exchange pump was shown to be responsible for this effect.4. At temperatures below 5 degrees C, the relationship between the membrane potential and the external K concentration could be predicted by a constant field equation.5. At temperatures above 5 degrees C, the membrane potential could not be predicted by the constant field equation except after inhibition of the electrogenic Na pump with ouabain or the reduction of internal Na.6. Inhibition of the electrogenic Na pump by low external K concentrations was dependent upon the external Na concentration.7. It is concluded that the membrane potential is the sum of ionic and metabolic components, and that the behaviour of the ionic component can be predicted by a constant field type equation.