Biophysical Journal 12: 1159-1170 (1972)
© 1972 the Biophysical Society

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Dipole Theory of Heat Production and Absorption in Nerve Axon

ABSTRACT

Exact formulas are derived for the energy change of a dipole system with two energy states (or bands) in a changing field in two cases: (a) no dipole flip-flop and (b) dipole flip-flop caused by stimulation. Based on these formulas, the positive and negative heats are calculated. The results are in good agreement with experiment in case b but are 60-180% larger in case a. Furthermore, the theory shows that the negative heat cannot be less than the positive heat in case a but can be either way in case b, the latter result being found prevalent in experiment. It is concluded that nerve excitation is most likely to involve dipole flip-flop at the membrane surface. The theory is consistent in the interpretations and correlations of the electrical, optical, and thermal effects observed in nerve axon.