Abstract
Summary An identified neurosecretory cell in the snail, cell 11 in Otala lactea , has been shown to have patterned impulse activity of endogenous origin. Several lines of evidence supporting this view are: hyperpolarization of the cell revealed no EPSPs driving the cell, the cell continued to act as a bursting pacemaker in concentrations of magnesium ion sufficient to block all synaptic activity, and the isolated soma of the cell exhibited spontaneous bursting behavior. While the action potential was due to increases in sodium and calcium conductances, the pacemaker potential was dependent only on the sodium ions in the medium. Stimulation of peripheral nerves evoked only IPSPs in cell 11 and, therefore, it was suggested that the cell's secretory activity was modulated primarily by inhibitory processes. The axon of cell 11 runs in the visceral nerve and terminates specifically in the auricle of the snail's heart. The activity of cell 11 did not appear to effect the rate or strength of the heartbeat, which suggested that this neurohemal location of termination was specifically related to the cell's secretory activity.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
