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A theory of ion transport across cell surfaces by a process analogous to electron transport across liquid-solid interfaces

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Abstract

A kinetic theory of ion transport across cell surfaces has been developed in a form analogous to the kinetic theory of electron transport across solid-liquid interfaces of biological particles. The ionic theory is based on the observation that, at least in one instance, the voltage-current behavior for ion conduction across a cell surface is describable by the Tafel equation, in analogy to the conduction of electrons across solid-liquid interfaces. The theory predicts that the kinetics of ion transport across cell surfaces should conform to the Elovich rate equation, which is shown to be true for various experimental data.

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The opinions and conclusions contained in this report are those of the author. They are not to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views or the endorsement of the Navy Department.

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Cope, F.W. A theory of ion transport across cell surfaces by a process analogous to electron transport across liquid-solid interfaces. Bulletin of Mathematical Biophysics 27, 99–109 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02476472

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