Summary
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(1)
Potential differences between two microelectrodes, one in the protoplasm ofNitella and one just outside the cell have been measured.
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(2)
The potential difference increases with increase in size of the cells studied in tap water or in .001 M NaCl from 15 m. v. for a cell volume of about 0·5 mm3 to about 40 m. v. for cells of 3 mm3 in volume. Larger cells showed irregular potential differences mostly less than 40 m. v.
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(3)
The potential differences yielded by cells immersed in artificialNitella sap was 7 m. v.; dilution of the sap to 3/4, 1/2, or 1/4 strength led to successively greater potential differences approaching as a limit the figure for cells of similar size in tap water or .001 M NaCl.
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(4)
Theoretical implications are discussed briefly.
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The expenses of this research were defrayed by a grant from the Board of Research of the University of California.
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Brooks, S.C., Gelfan, S. Bioelectric potentials in Nitella. Protoplasma 5, 86–96 (1928). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01604591
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01604591