The toxicity of p-benzoquinone on the central nervous system of the cockroach

Abstract

The behavioural symptoms of aute p-benzoquinone intoxication in the cockroach were shown to be an initial excitation followed by rigid paralysis. p-Benzoquinone produced a depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane of the giant neurones in the 6th abdominal ganglion of the cockroach which was accompanied by an increase in the electrically evoked excitatory postsynaptic potential. The frequency and amplitude of unitary postsynaptic potentials also increased. These effects may be due to inhibition of active cation transport, as illustrated here on the frog isolated skin.