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Membrane Electrophoresis in Relation to Bioelectrical Polarization Effects

Nature volume 162, page 961 (1948)Cite this article

Abstract

IN electrophysiology the term 'polarization' often has an ambiguous meaning. Here it will be used in the physical sense as an overall definition to include changes in the 'resting potential' of the object (membrane, nerve, skin, etc.), as well as the appearance of rectification, capacity and inductivity effects under the influence of an externally applied current. The potential changes and the rectification effects have mostly been interpreted in a qualitative manner in terms of selective ion permeability, and the capacity as 'double layers', 'dielectrics', etc.1,2,3. Cole4 has recently made the unexpected observation of an inductance component in the squid axon, which he seems inclined to explain as analogous to piezoelectric behaviour. Lorente de Nó5 prefers more unspecific concepts implying also chemical reactions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physiological Institute, University of Uppsala, Uppsala

    TORSTEN TEORELL

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  1. TORSTEN TEORELL
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TEORELL, T. Membrane Electrophoresis in Relation to Bioelectrical Polarization Effects. Nature 162, 961 (1948). https://doi.org/10.1038/162961a0

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