A COMPARISON OF EFFECTS OF SODIUM AND LITHIUM IONS ON ACTION POTENTIALS FROM HELIX ASPERSA NEURONES

1. 1. The response of Helix neurones to internal and internal sodium and lithium ions indicates that some mechanism within the neurone can discriminate between these two ions. 2. 2. It is suggested that the lithium ions were not pumped out from the neurone. 3. 3. Sodium has two roles in a neurone: (a) to carry the inward current of the action potential, and (b) to stimulate the active transport system which maintains the sodium concentration gradient across the membrane. Lithium may only take part in the first of these. © 1968.