Electrochemistry on a bimolecular lipid membrane

✍ Scribed by Harish C. Pant; Barnett Rosenberg

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1971
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 477 KB
• Volume: 6
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0009-3084
• DOI: 10.1016/0009-3084(71)90055-7

✦ Synopsis

A variety of electrochemical events occurring on a bimolecular membrane of oxidized cholesterol have been detected. With solutions of I2 in NaI on one side and safranine on the other side of the membrane, an electric field in one direction causes a stable precipitate of high electrical resistance to form on the membrane. This can be erased by the reverse field direction. This precipitate can be visually observed, and decreases the electrical conductivity of the membrane.

With solutions of 12 in NaI on one side and Hg(NO3)2 on the other, the application of 50 inv. across the membrane creates a specularly reflecting metallic film on the membrane surface. We suggest that this is strong evidence of coupled oxidation-reduction reactions occurring across the membrane and mediated by electron transport through the membrane. Application of higher voltages (~ 100 millivolts) changes the dominant charge carrier to an ionic form (J~--?) which forms visible precipitates of mercuric iodide.

With a solution of Nal on one side and safranine on the other, an electric field in one direction causes a stable increase of conductance of the membrane.