Differential conduction at axonal bifurcations. I. Effect of electrotonic length

Abstract

1. Frequency-dependent differential conduction of action potentials into one daughter branch of the squid giant axon is demonstrated. 2. This differential conduction arises from differences in the electrotonic length of the daughters, rather than inhomogeneities in membrane properties. 3. It may therefore be a more general phenomenon in the nervous system than is differential conduction which does depend upon membrane inhomogeneities.