The plasmalemma redox system of a fresh-water alga and membrane electrical parameters.

In order to learn more details about the plasmalemma redox system in the alga Hydrodictyon reticulatum the electrophysiological characteristics of the plasma membrane as influenced by artificial electron acceptors were estimated. Ferricyanide anion as well as TTF+ depolarized the membrane potential, the effect being more marked in the dark than in the light. In the presence of ferricyanide the membrane resistance in the light was decreased by about 29% on the average, in the dark it remained unchanged.

Miniature potassium-sensitive electrodes with neutral carriers in a poly(vinyl chloride) matrix.

A miniature version of the potassium ion-selective electrode with valinomycin or dimethyldibenzo-30-crown-10 in a poly(vinyl chloride) matrix is described. Electrodes having an effective membrane area of <0.2 mm(2) exhibit Nernstian behaviour within a range of activities of the potassium ion of 10(-1)-10(-5)M, a rapid response and good long-term potential stability.