Olfactory receptor cell activity under electrical polarization of the nasal mucosa in the frog. I. Spontaneous activity
Juge, A.; Holley, A.; Delaleu, J.C.
Journal de Physiologie 75(8): 919-927
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-7948 PMID: 553163 Document Number: 143104
The electrical activity of single olfactory receptor cells was studied under electrical polarization of the olfactory epithelium in the frog. The spontaneous discharge frequency varied as a linear function of the polarizing current in the range 1-20 .times. 10-6 A. Surface positive polarizations caused the spike activity to increase; surface-negative polarizations suppressed the activity. Partial accommodation to the current was observed. After-effects of short duration occurred. Rebound suppression occurred after positive polarization and rebound excitation after negative polarization. A high percentage of receptor units found in the frog's mucosa displayed no spontaneous activity.