Abstract
LIGHT scattering and birefringence changes1 support recent “conformational” theories of nerve activity2, and Tasaki has shown that an action potential requires only the presence of univalent ions within the nerve axon and of divalent ions externally2; this recalls initiation of action potentials in poly-acrylic acid membranes by dilatory (alkali), followed by contractile (acid) stimuli3. Nerve membrane movements might therefore be swelling changes arising from divalent–monovalent ion-exchange. Heald has isolated from nervous tissue a lipophosphatidylserine peptide which he suggested could function as cation-exchange membrane sites4. Here I use Heald's suggestion to show how the properties to be expected of such a lipo protein, or related polymers, can account for action potentials in nerve.
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WEISS, D. Action Potential Model based on a Lipophosphoprotein. Nature 223, 634–635 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/223634a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/223634a0
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