MECHANICAL, THERMAL, AND OPTICAL SIGNS OF EXCITATION IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

我们已经成功地证明了快速扩张的存在 突触传递过程中突触后成分的体积。 这一演示是通过刺激射线电器官来进行的 (含有丰富的胆碱能终末)密封在塑料中 密室。与之结合的水分子的重排 突触后元件中的带电部位在底部 观测到的体积膨胀。 最近，我们发现两栖动物皮腺肿胀。 在兴奋他们的肾上腺素能神经末梢之后。这种肿胀 被发现还伴随着热量的产生。因果关系 发热率和膨胀率与电性的关系 目前正在调查腺体的反应。

We have succeeded in demonstrating the existence of a rapid expansion of the volume of the post-synaptic elements during synaptic transmission. This demonstration was carried out by stimulating the ray electric organ (which is rich in cholinergic terminals) enclosed in a sealed plastic chamber. The rearrangement of the water molecules bound to the electrically charged sites in the post-synaptic elements is at the base of the observed volume expansion. Quite recently, we found swelling of the amphibian cutaneous glands following excitation of their adrenergic nerve terminals. This swelling was found to be accompanied also by heat production. The causal relationship of hte heat production and swelling with the electric response of the gland is now being investigated.