Untersuchungen über die Impuls-Entstehung in den Streckreceptoren des Flußkrebses

Abstract

Muscle receptor organs were isolated from the abdominal extensor musculature of river crabs. The sensory cells sending out continuous impulses were scanned by means of an oscilloscope with external microelectrodes. The electrical potential changes in the region of the dendrites, of the cell body, and of the axon were registered. A local potential, limited to the cell body and the dendrites, the form of which changes with the position of the electrode, precedes the impulse (spike) transmitted over the axon. Experimental data were combined to form an hypothesis as to the mechanism of the origin of the impulse.