Oculomotor Neurons in Fish: Electrotonic Coupling and Multiple Sites of Impulse Initiation

Oculomotor neurons are electrotonically coupled in three teleosts. Electron microscopy revealed axosomatic synapses with close appositions of pre- and postynaptic membranes. Similar junctions are associated with electrotonic coupling in many other cases. Stimulation of the ipsilateral eighth nerve u...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inScience (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 166; no. 3904; pp. 520 - 524
Main Authors Kriebel, Mahlon E., Michael V. L. Bennett, Waxman, Stephen G., Pappas, George D.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 24.10.1969
Subjects
Animals
Apposition
Axons
Cell membranes
Dendrites
Depolarization
Evoked Potentials
Fishes
Microscopy, Electron
Muscle Contraction
Nerves
Neurons
Neurons - cytology
Oculomotor Nerve - physiology
Ophthalmic Nerve
Spinal Nerve roots
Synapses
Synaptic Transmission
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Oculomotor neurons are electrotonically coupled in three teleosts. Electron microscopy revealed axosomatic synapses with close appositions of pre- and postynaptic membranes. Similar junctions are associated with electrotonic coupling in many other cases. Stimulation of the ipsilateral eighth nerve usually initiated impulses at sites distant from the cell bodies; stimulation of the ipsilateral ophthalmic nerve initiated impulses close to the cell bodies. Electrotonic coupling may synchronize impulses arising near the cell bodies to generate synchronous muscle contractions. Impulses arising distant from the cell bodies may lead to contractions of graded strength.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.166.3904.520