Biomaterial Database

The effects of homologous series of anaesthetics on a resting potassium conductance of the squid giant axon. 1989

A A Elliott, and J R Elliott, and D A Haydon

Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University, Dundee, U.K.

The effects of n-alkanes (n-pentane to n-octane), n-alkanols (n-pentanol to n-undecanol) and two carboxylic esters (methyl pentanoate and methyl octanoate) on the conductance of squid giant axons in a high potassium, zero sodium bathing solution have been examined. Sodium and delayed rectifier potassium channels were as far as possible pharmacologically blocked. A substantial fraction of the measured conductance is attributed to a recently-described, voltage-independent, potassium channel. Anaesthetics block this channel but its sensitivity is markedly different from those of other squid axon ion channels.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009795	Octanes	Eight-carbon saturated hydrocarbon group of the methane series. Include isomers and derivatives.	Isooctanes
D010420	Pentanes	Five-carbon saturated hydrocarbon group of the methane series. Include isomers and derivatives.	Isopentanes
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D002210	Caprylates	Derivatives of caprylic acid. Included under this heading are a broad variety of acid forms, salts, esters, and amides that contain a carboxy terminated eight carbon aliphatic structure.	Caprylate,Octanoates,Caprylic Acids,Octanoic Acids,Acids, Caprylic,Acids, Octanoic
D004553	Electric Conductivity	The ability of a substrate to allow the passage of ELECTRONS.	Electrical Conductivity,Conductivity, Electric,Conductivity, Electrical
D004594	Electrophysiology	The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D000439	Pentanols	Isomeric forms and derivatives of pentanol (C5H11OH).	Alcohols, Amyl,Pentyl Alcohols,Hydroxypentanes,Methylbutanols,Alcohols, Pentyl,Amyl Alcohols
D000777	Anesthetics	Agents capable of inducing a total or partial loss of sensation, especially tactile sensation and pain. They may act to induce general ANESTHESIA, in which an unconscious state is achieved, or may act locally to induce numbness or lack of sensation at a targeted site.	Anesthetic,Anesthetic Agents,Anesthetic Drugs,Anesthetic Effect,Anesthetic Effects,Agents, Anesthetic,Drugs, Anesthetic,Effect, Anesthetic,Effects, Anesthetic
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001369	Axons	Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body.	Axon