1H-NMR relaxation investigation of water bound to bovine rod outer segment disk membranes

Spin-lattice relaxation times T(1) in deuterated aqueous dispersions of lecithin and rod outer segment disk membranes were measured at various concentrations and temperatures. Fast chemical exchange between two loosely defined phases of water molecules was shown to fit the data, allowing the dynamic features of "bound" water and the hydration of the biological membrane to be evaluated. The state of the water was shown to be also involved in vision physiology.