ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY IN THE OLFACTORY TRACT OF THE CATFISH

Abstract

Olfactory tract activity was recorded in curarized catfish.Stimuli were administered with a continuous flow technique. Marked changes in tract activity occured to onset and cessation of flow. Mechanical stimulation consistently produced a large spike discharge. Increases in tract activity were produced by a large variety of substances dissolved in water. Many chemicals were effective stimuli when presented in extremely dilute concentration. The magnitude of the tract response increased with an increase in odor concentration over a wide range of dilution. High concentrations of certain odors depressed tract activity.