What Is a Nerve?

Many of the observed properties of a nerve are summed up by noting that it appears to be a cascaded series of bistable elements. This implies an electrical negative resistance property which is observed to be tetrode-like, as opposed to arc-like. A time dependent element in the regenerative feedback loop is involved in such things as anode-break stimulation. New nerve analogs are suggested by this view, and the common factor in previous ones is seen. Many excitable plant and animal cells show these properties. A brief general discussion of negative resistance is given. No new biological data is presented.