A Mathematical Model For Potassium Channel Conductance in Hodgkin-Huxley Experiments

This paper presents a simplified version of an alternative model to explain the data obtained by Hodgkin-Huxley in the potassium channel of their famous squid giant axon experiments. The model is based on population distribution formulation with simple assumptions on its free energy function and rate of transition between neighboring states. The approach enables close fitting of the experimental voltage clamp data for potassium conductance. The distribution function approach, moreover, is able to qualitatively explain the Cole-Moore shift paradox, which is difficult with the HH model and other alternative models. A graphical interpretation of the various quantities in the formulation is also provided.