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Discontinuous volume transitions induced by calcium–sodium ion exchange in anionic gels and their neurobiological implications
Author(s) -
Tasaki I.,
Byrne P. M.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
biopolymers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.556
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1097-0282
pISSN - 0006-3525
DOI - 10.1002/bip.360340207
Subject(s) - chemistry , membrane , isotonic , swelling , sodium , ion exchange , calcium , salt (chemistry) , conductance , volume (thermodynamics) , ion , biophysics , inorganic chemistry , chromatography , chemical engineering , thermodynamics , organic chemistry , biochemistry , medicine , physics , mathematics , combinatorics , biology , engineering
Discontinuous volume transitions in poly(acrylic acid) gels were studied by determining equilibrium swelling curves of small gel beads immersed in salt solutions containing varying concentrations of Ca 2+ and Na + . Reversible contractions of gel membranes associated with Ca 2+ ‐Na + exchange were examined using both isometric and isotonic recording devices. A discontinuous change in electric conductance was demonstrated in association with Ca 2+ ‐Na + exchange in gel membranes. These experimental findings provide a sound physicochemical basis for elucidating the mechanism of nerve excitation. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.