Biophysical Journal 13: 1054-1070 (1973)
© 1973 the Biophysical Society

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Propagation Speed in Myelinated Nerve

I. Experimental Dependence on External Na⁺ and on Temperature

ABSTRACT

Conduction speed () in single myelinated Rana pipiens sciatic nerve fibers has been precisely measured using intracellular recording and on-line digital computer techniques. The dependence of relative speed on external Na concentration at 15°C has been found to be ln(₁/₂) = 0.524 (±0.018) ln ([Na⁺]₁/[Na⁺]₂) + 0.003. Thus has very close to a square root dependence on [Na⁺]₀ for these fibers. This experimental finding is not in complete agreement with a theoretical prediction based on a solution of the Hodgkin-Huxley (H.H.) equations. The effect of small temperature variations around 15°C on has also been measured for Rana fibers in Ringer's solution. has close to an exponential dependence on T and a Q₁₀ of 2.95 has been estimated.