Biophysical Journal 25: 17-31 (1979)
© 1979 the Biophysical Society

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Diffusion of Ions in Myelinated Nerve Fibers

ABSTRACT

The diffusion of ions towards or away from the inner side of the nodal membrane in preparations, the cut ends of which are placed in various media, was investigated. The ion concentration changes were calculated by numerical solution of the unidimensional electrodiffusion equation under a variety of media compositions, axoplasmic diffusion coefficients, and internal anionic compositions. The potassium and cesium ion diffusion along the axon towards the node was determined experimentally by two different electrophysiological methods. On the basis of comparison between the experimental data and the computational predictions the axoplasmic potassium ion diffusion coefficient was determined to be almost equal to that in free aqueous solution, while that of cesium ion was close to one half of that in aqueous solution. Utilizing the values of diffusion parameters thus determined, we solved the electrodiffusion equation for a number of common experimental procedures. We found that in short fibers, cut 0.1-0.2 cm at each side of the node, the concentration approached values close to the new steady-state values within 5-30 min. In long fibers (over 1 cm long) steady-state concentrations were obtained only after a few hours. Under some conditions the internal concentrations transiently overshot the steady-state values. The diffusion potentials generated in the system were also evaluated. The ion concentration changes and generation of diffusion potential cannot be prevented by using side pools with cation content identical to that of the axoplasm.