[Multimodality in the amplitude distribution of miniature endplate potentials due to the action of spatially discrete areas of transmitter release].

Miniature end plate potentials (MEPPs) were simultaneously recorded in frog sartorius muscle by two intracellular microelectrodes. Some isolated groups of points (clouds) were found on the diagram of MEPPs scatter. Several peaks each of which was composed of signals from certain clouds (or from several clouds) on the scatter diagram were found on the histograms of MEPPs amplitude distribution. It is assumed that the clouds on the scatter histogram and the peaks on the histogram of MEPPs amplitudes are formed at the cost of secretion of quantum acetylcholine from spatial separate areas of transmitter release. The data obtained do not correspond with the subquantum hypothesis of transmitter release in neuromuscular junctions.