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ANNALS NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



B 



m 



i 



i 



ded. 



o 



I 



I 



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•minutes 



FiGURB 1. Measurements of potential differences (Va-Vb) immediately following a localized 

 injury (hatched zone). 



Torpedo organ, 3 different cases (see text). 



which the activity in the electric organ simply consists in the transient 

 appearance of a membrane polarization, rather than in the depolariza- 

 tion of a previously polarized surface. This is the meaning of the 

 schema represented in figure 2, Schema III. However, it is difficult 



Figure 2. Hypothetical schemas proposed to explain the production of an electromotive force 

 in electric organs. 



N indicates the innervated side of the plate. The dotted lines represent what is supposed to 

 collapse during activity'. 



The dotted lines in II are intended to show a passively charged membrane in contrast with 

 other interfaces, which are supposed to be actively polarized by an internal electromotive force. 



The figure makes it clear that IV may be described as a synthesis of I, II, and III. 



to believe in the formation of a polarized layer at the moment when the 

 responsible membrane collapses, as is indicated by the drop of its re- 

 sistance. This schema, like the other two, appears really far too 

 simple. 



