[Sodium channels in electrically excitable membranes].

Properties of sodium channels in electrically excitable membranes can be obtained from sodium currents, gating currents, sodium-current fluctuations and currents through single channels. Gating processes in sodium channels are related to intramembranous charge displacements and are modified by toxins, local anaesthetics and chemical agents. From the results a schematic diagram of a sodium channel can be derived.