ABSTRACT
Studies with intracellular electrodes show that the abdominal giant axons of the cockroach give ascending responses to stimulation of cereal nerves and descending responses to stimulation of S0–T1 connectives.
In the thoracic region one or more areas of low safety factors occur for descending conduction.
These areas, which are considered not to be synapses, are blocked by low doses of nicotine (2-5 µg./ml.) fatigued by repetitive stimulation and show conduction delays of 0·6—0·7 msec.
It is concluded that the abdominal giant axons extend continuously from to suboesophageal ganglion.
The possibility of bi-directional conduction under physiological conditions is discussed.
Copyright © 1969 The Company of Biologists Ltd.
1969
You do not currently have access to this content.
