New considerations about the structure of the membrane of the living animal cell

The philosophy and assumptions behind the research are summarized. The cell membrane in life is likely to be solid, of unknown thickness and of uncertain biochemistry; the myelin lamellae are artifacts and can not be regarded as sheafs of cell membranes. It is very unlikely that the cell membrane is covered with anatomically distinct receptors or channels. The physiological and biochemical properties attributed to them as structures are quite independent of their anatomy. The ionic channels originally proposed as a result of studies of excitable membranes have now been detected in virtually all membranes in the cell, including endoplasmic reticulum, liposomes and vacuoles. Physiologists believe that channels only open during excitation of nerve and muscle cells, which implies that they are permanently closed in non-excitable cells, although it has been known for more than 50 years that small ions cross the membranes continuously. Explanations are given for the appearance of artifacts.