Electrical excitability: a spectrum of properties in the progeny of a single embryonic neuroblast.

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Abstract
The range of some properties of the progeny of a single embryonic precursor cell in the grasshopper [Schistocerca nitens] was examined. The .apprxeq. 100 progeny of this single neuroblast share certain features such as their transmitter and some aspects of their morphology; at the same time, they demonstrate a broad spectrum of electrical properties, from spiking to nonspiking neurons. The first-born progeny are spiking neurons with peripheral axons. Many of the progeny, including all of the last-born, do not generate action potentials. The nonspiking progeny are local intraganglionic neurons and appear to compose a major proportion of the progeny of this neuroblast. All of the nonspiking neurons have Ca inward current channels and can make action potentials when outward current channels are blocked. A model is proposed for grasshopper neurogenesis based on cell lineage such that certain features (e.g., transmitter) are shared by the progeny of all cell divisions from a single neuroblast, and other features (e.g., electrical properties) are shared by the progeny of a given birth position (e.g., first vs. last born) from all of the neuroblasts. According to this model, the first-born progeny from all neuroblasts are spiking neurons, whereas the last-born are nonspiking.