ACTION-POTENTIALS PASS SEVERED EARTHWORM MGA SEGMENTS RECONNECTED BY LASER AND ELECTRIC-FIELD PULSES

Active and passive electrical signals transmit across the earthworm (L umbricus terrestris) medial giant axon (MGA) segment after reconnectio n induced by laser and electric field pulses. Laser pulses of 308 nm, 15 ns pulse duration, and pulse energy 5-50 mu J in the objective plan e induced axon reconnection in 12 of 133 (9%) preparations. Electric f ield pulses of 200-800 V, 100 ps duration, induced axon reconnection i n 15 of 188 (8%) preparations. Electrical continuity is possible after the reconnection of severed axons induced by laser and electric field pulses.