Channel

variable-conductance current

CONICAL object class

Base Classes

Stepper	provides Step(dt) method
Current	Current source to a VSink

Derived Classes

Synapse	neurotransmitter-gated Channel
ChanHH	Hodgkin-Huxley ion channel

Member Functions & Variables

real MaxG ;
virtual void Step ( const real dt );
Channel ( VSink * pTo , VSource * pComp , real pMaxG = 0 . 1 );
Channel ( Compartment * pTo , real pMaxG = 0 . 1 );

A Channel is a type of Current whose equilibrium potential is fixed (via the Current's SetE() method), but whose conductance G varies with time. A Channel implements an active channel; for a passive channel, you can simply use a Current.

Note that since a Channel may need a voltage to change its conductance, it must be either attached to a Compartment, or separately attached to a VSink and a VSource (see constructors). The former is appropriate for a membrane channel; the latter would be appropriate for (say) a synapse, whose conductance depends on presynaptic voltage, but whose current affects the postsynaptic compartment.