Spontaneous random potential spike induction across a nonliving separator intervening two aqueous solutions and the implication of its physiological meaning

Abstract

Membrane theory attributes the cause of action potential generation to the ion transport across the plasma membrane. It even states that the action potential generation is a unique phenomenon in the living cell. There have been some reports that the action potential-like potential spike is induced even in the nonliving system. Ling’s adsorption theory (LA theory) is a typical opposing concept to the membrane theory. The LA theory attributes the action potential generation mechanism to the ion adsorption-desorption process. The authors examined the LA theory and found that the membrane theory has a limitation. By contrast, the LA theory is in line with the experimental results. Therefore, it might be necessary to take into consideration the ion adsorption-desorption effect at least as a part of the action potential generation mechanism.