Hi, TIPsters!
As an ex chemistry teacher, I feel a need to throw in a speculative
two-cents' worth on antidromic conduction: Given that a neuron has a fluid
internal environment, charge is going to spread both ways. It would be quite
difficult to design a neuron that passed electrical disturbances only one
way (functioning INTERNALLY as a diode).
Antidromic conduction may have some function, but I would guess that nature
found a way to make use of it after the reality set in that getting rid of
it just wasn't feasible.
In short, I don't think it evolved because it was useful. I think it became
useful (or got used, if in fact it did) because the chemical properties (of
the biological materials involved in constructing neurons) make it nearly
inescapable that antidromic conduction will occur.
Have I missed some basic fact that makes this a stupid thing to say?
Cheers,
Michael Renner
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Michael J. Renner, Ph.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Studies & Sponsored Research
Professor of Psychology
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383-2145
Grad Studies: 610-436-3310 Psychology: 610-436-2925
fax: 610-436-2763 fax: 610-436-2846
"The path of least resistance is always downhill."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
