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Evaluation of membrane surface charge density: A discussion of some models

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Abstract

The theory of electrical double layer due to Gouy and Chapman, applied to the experimental data related to shifts of conductance-voltage curve along the voltage axis following changes in the external calcium concentration to derive values for the density of surface charges (σ) present on biomembranes, has been outlined. Similarly, the principal equations of resting membrane potential due to Kobatake and coworkers, also used for the first time by Lakshminarayanaiah to evaluate charges on biomembranes of several tissues, have been given. The values for σ derived by the first method have been considered to indicate the charge density at the channel region through which permeation of Na or K ion occurred. The values for σ derived by the second method are considered to represent the presence of charges smeared out uniformly over the membrane surface. Despite this difference in practical implementation of the concepts of the two theories which initially in their development are based on the assumption of charges covering the membrane surface uniformly, the ultimate values for σ derived by the two methods agree. The significance of this result in relation to different membrane models for surface charges is briefly discussed.

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  1. Department of Pharmacology, Thomas Jefferson University, 19107, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    N. Lakshminarayanaiah

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Lakshminarayanaiah, N. Evaluation of membrane surface charge density: A discussion of some models. Bltn Mathcal Biology 39, 643–662 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02461775

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