The Chemical Nature of the Plasma Membrane as Revealed by Permeability

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Molecular conceptions of the structure of the plasma membranes of living cells are given. Data from other workers indicate the presence of some "oily" phase, but not forming a continuous oily layer over the cells. The author''s work shows that ion accumulation may take place by ion exchange, as shown by direct determinations upon isolated protoplasm, and may take place through a protein layer. The misleading nature of much research on cell extracts or cell sap is indicated. The structure of protein monolayers formed at phase boundaries leads to a parallel conception of a precipitated membrane, formed within a single phase as found with living cells, and containing proteins, salts, and lipoid molecules or groups of these molecules.

This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit: