Abstract
Proton and chloride ion distributions were measured across the erythrocyte membrane of the toad Bufo marinus over a broad range of extracellular pH values. Intracellular pH was measured using both the freeze–thaw method and the 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione method. The results indicate that these ions are passively distributed in a Donnan equilibrium across the erythrocyte membrane. There is, however, a consistent difference between the erythrocyte pH obtained via the freeze–thaw method and that obtained via the 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione method. This difference apparently results from a "suspension effect" at the liquid junction potential of the pH electrode encountered when measuring the haemolysate pH.