Abstract
It is well known that ions are unequally distributed between cells and their surroundings and a peculiar property of excitable membranes is the possession of a mechanism enabling them to increase their permeability to ions. By this increase in permeability, movement of ions occurs according to their concentration gradient and an action potential is formed (1-3). The mode of change in permeability of excitable membranes such as that of nerve cells is an interesting problem.
The movement of cations across nerve cell membranes has been suggested largely from electrophysiological experiments on peripheral nerve. But, in this paper we used brain slices and the movement of cations caused by protoveratrine, ouabain, EDTA and detergents are examined to get a clue to clarify the nature of the peculiar property of excitable membranes. The effects of cocaine, procaine and calcium on these movements are also described.
