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Published on: April 18, 2013
Ba2+ ions hyperpolarize algal cell membrane and enhance plasmalemma resistance without affecting ion and water
R Metlicka1, L Rauferová, K Sigler
1Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Culturing the fresh-water alga Hydrodictyon reticulatum for 9 days in the presence of 0.2 and 0.4 mmol/l Ba2+ increases the membrane potential about twice and the plasmalemma resistance 5-10 times without having any significant effect on the cell contents of water and Na+, K+ and Cl- ions. While in control cells the membrane potential is determined by the diffusion potential of K+, in Ba(2+)-treated cells the factor determining membrane potential and resistance is the unequal distribution of protons across the membrane.
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