Electrophysiological characteristics ofBombyx mori L. ventral nerve cord (effect of sodium and potassium on the membrane potential)

Summary Na⁺ and K⁺ effects on the resting cellular membrane potential of desheathed ganglia of theBombyx mori L. ventral nerve cord have been studied. The cells are depolarized by high concentrations of external potassium ions in the same way as in vertebrates, mollusca and crustacean cells. The possibility that the behaviour of the resting potential is not only influenced by the potassium equilibrium potential, but also by the conductances to other ions, is discussed.The authors are indebted to Prof V. Capraro, Drs B. Giordana and F. Sacchi for helpful comments and criticism.