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. 1939 May 20;22(5):671-87.
doi: 10.1085/jgp.22.5.671.

MEMBRANE AND PROTOPLASM RESISTANCE IN THE SQUID GIANT AXON

K S Cole  1 , A L Hodgkin
Affiliations

MEMBRANE AND PROTOPLASM RESISTANCE IN THE SQUID GIANT AXON

K S Cole et al. J Gen Physiol. .

Abstract

The direct current longitudinal resistance of the squid giant axon was measured as a function of the electrode separation. Large sea water electrodes were used and the inter-electrode length was immersed in oil. The slope of the resistance vs. separation curve is large for a small electrode separation, but becomes smaller and finally constant as the separation is increased. An analysis of the resistance vs. length curves gives the following results. The nerve membrane has a resistance of about 1000 ohm cm.(2) The protoplasm has a specific resistance of about 1.4 times that of sea water. The resistance of the connective tissue sheath outside the fiber corresponds to a layer of sea water about 20micro in thickness. The characteristic length for the axon is about 2.3 mm. in oil and 6.0 mm. in sea water.

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References

    1. J Physiol. 1934 Oct 17;82(3):332-52 - PubMed