A rapid method for determining voltage-concentration relations across membranes. 1966

J M Diamond

1. A rapid method is described for obtaining curves relating the potential difference (p.d.) across a membrane to solute concentration gradients. The experiment consists of measuring the p.d. as a function of time while the concentration at the membrane is continuously increasing from 0 to C(o) (or decreasing from C(o) to 0) owing to diffusion through an unstirred layer.2. The voltage trace is then analysed with a piece of transparent paper, on which lines corresponding to solutions of the diffusion equation convert the time axis of the voltage trace into a concentration axis. Superposition of this paper on an experimental voltage trace permits one to read off the p.d. corresponding to any concentration between 0 and C(o).3. The relation between diffusion potentials and NaCl concentration, and between streaming potentials and concentrations of impermeant non-electrolytes, has been reconstructed by this procedure in rabbit gall-bladder. The method yields non-linear voltage-concentration curves in good agreement with those obtained by conventional methods, but requires much less time and experimental manipulation. The conditions that must exist for the method to be valid are discussed.4. The thicknesses of the unstirred layers in rabbit gall-bladder are measured, and are shown to have a negligible effect upon steady-state streaming potentials and NaCl diffusion potentials.5. The changes of permeability with osmolarity described in rabbit gall-bladder must be complete within a fraction of a second, in agreement with the interpretation that they represent swelling and shrinking of the cell membrane itself.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009995 Osmosis Tendency of fluids (e.g., water) to move from the less concentrated to the more concentrated side of a semipermeable membrane. Osmoses
D011817 Rabbits A burrowing plant-eating mammal with hind limbs that are longer than its fore limbs. It belongs to the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, and in contrast to hares, possesses 22 instead of 24 pairs of chromosomes. Belgian Hare,New Zealand Rabbit,New Zealand Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbit,Rabbit,Rabbit, Domestic,Chinchilla Rabbits,NZW Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbits,Oryctolagus cuniculus,Chinchilla Rabbit,Domestic Rabbit,Domestic Rabbits,Hare, Belgian,NZW Rabbit,Rabbit, Chinchilla,Rabbit, NZW,Rabbit, New Zealand,Rabbits, Chinchilla,Rabbits, Domestic,Rabbits, NZW,Rabbits, New Zealand,Zealand Rabbit, New,Zealand Rabbits, New,cuniculus, Oryctolagus
D002463 Cell Membrane Permeability A quality of cell membranes which permits the passage of solvents and solutes into and out of cells. Permeability, Cell Membrane
D004594 Electrophysiology The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D005704 Gallbladder A storage reservoir for BILE secretion. Gallbladder allows the delivery of bile acids at a high concentration and in a controlled manner, via the CYSTIC DUCT to the DUODENUM, for degradation of dietary lipid. Gallbladders
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012965 Sodium Chloride A ubiquitous sodium salt that is commonly used to season food. Sodium Chloride, (22)Na,Sodium Chloride, (24)NaCl
D066298 In Vitro Techniques Methods to study reactions or processes taking place in an artificial environment outside the living organism. In Vitro Test,In Vitro Testing,In Vitro Tests,In Vitro as Topic,In Vitro,In Vitro Technique,In Vitro Testings,Technique, In Vitro,Techniques, In Vitro,Test, In Vitro,Testing, In Vitro,Testings, In Vitro,Tests, In Vitro,Vitro Testing, In

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