Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 5, 589-595, Copyright © 1985 by Society for Neuroscience
How straight do axons grow?
MJ Katz
Detailed growth paths of embryonic frog and chick axons were measured as
the axons elongated in dispersed cultures on acid-rinsed glass surfaces.
Mathematical analyses demonstrate that, under these conditions, axons do
not grow randomly but tend to grow straight. Growth cones appear to
actively alternate sides--right and left from the straight line of
growth--and the growth cone neck exhibits all possible angles, but the axon
itself maintains a fairly constant orientation. It appears that an axonal
resistance to bending may be the cause of the intrinsic tendency for
relatively straight axonal growth. The natural straightness of axonal
growth may be an important developmental determinant of certain in vivo
axon patterns.