A kinetic model of membrane repair

Abstract
Two microelectrodes are inserted into a Xenopus laevis egg. Rectangular current pulses are injected through one microelectrode and the voltage induced across the cell membrane is measured via the second electrode. The transmembrane resistance, as deduced from the injected current and the measured voltage, is taken as a measure of membrane integrity. The cell membrane is punctured with a glass fiber. The fall and subsequent recovery of transmembrane resistance are recorded. It is confirmed that cell membranes do exhibit repair and that repair is enhanced by the presence of calcium ion. A kinetic model of membrane repair is proposed.