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DYE‐MEMBRANE INTERACTION AND ITS CHANGES DURING NERVE EXCITATION
Author(s) -
Tasaki Ichiji,
Warashina Akira
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
photochemistry and photobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.818
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1751-1097
pISSN - 0031-8655
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1976.tb06810.x
Subject(s) - macromolecule , membrane , excitation , absorbance , molecule , chemistry , fluorescence , biophysics , photochemistry , optics , chromatography , organic chemistry , biochemistry , physics , biology , electrical engineering , engineering
— With a view toward elucidating the physiocochemical properties of the nerve membrane, the behavior of various dye molecules incorporated into the membrane was investigated. By measuring the difference between the absorption spectra of dyes in the membrane at rest and those during nerve excitation, the nature of the conformation changes of the membrane macromolecules were examined. Mathematical expressions were developed describing the absorbance changes of dye molecules during nerve excitation. Experimental evidence was presented indicating that there is, during nerve excitation, rotation of dye molecules in the membrane. The physicochemical bases of the process of production of fluorescence changes during nerve excitation are discussed. Based on the results of measurements of the polarization of the fluorescent light, the existence of a highly ordered macromolecular structure at or near the inner surface of the membrane was inferred.