The Physical Mechanism of Sodium Conductance Change in Nerve: An Electron Transfer Model

Abstract

Assuming that the nerve membrane contains electron transfer complexes and energy traps, many Na channel-related properties can be explained, including the Na activation-inactivation process, refractory state, recovery of excitability, effects of Ca ions and local anesthetics, heat production and absorption, anode break excitation, and the significance of positive afterpotential in repetitive firing. This model also suggests that the nerve impulse could be elicited by laser beams.