ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF THE OLFACTORY TRACT OF THE BURBOT (Lota lota L.)

Abstract

The fibers of the olfactory tract of the burbot were shown to make up 2 main bundles each consisting of 2 portions. The diameters of the fibers are less than 6.5 [mu]. The majority of the fibers in the lateral portion of the medial bundle are smaller than 0.5 [mu], while in the other 3 portions of the tract such small fibers are comparatively few. The compound action potential has 3 components conducted at the mean maximum velocities of 5. 5, 2.4 and 0.25 m/sec at 10cC. The 3rd component is obtained only from the lateral portion of the medial bundle. The ratio between the axon diameter (in [mu]) and the conduction velocity (in m/sec) at 10[degree]C approximates 1: 1. No evidence has been found for the existence in the burbot of a nervus terminalis.