Rapid mechanical and thermal changes in the garfish olfactory nerve associated with a propagated impulse

Abstract

Mechanical and thermal changes associated with a propagated nerve impulse were determined using the garfish olfactory nerve. Production of an action potential was found to be accompanied by swelling of the nerve fibers. The swelling starts nearly at the onset of the action potential and reaches its peak at the peak of the action potential. There is a decrease in the length of the fibers while an impulse travels along the fibers. The time-course of the initial heat was determined at room temperature using heat-sensors with a response-time of 2-3 ms. Positive heat production was found to start and reach its peak nearly simultaneously with the action potential. The rise in temperature of the nerve was shown to be 23 (+/- 4) mu degrees C. In the range between 10 degrees and 20 degrees C, the temperature coefficient of heat production is negative, primarily due to prolongation of the period of positive heat production at low temperatures. The amount of heat absorbed during the negative phase varies widely between 45 and 85% of the heat evolved during the positive phase. It is suggested that both mechanical and thermal changes in the nerve fibers are associated with the release and re-binding of Ca-ions in the nerve associated with action potential production.