A Mechanism for the Concentrating of Potassium by Cells, with Experimental Verification for Muscle

Abstract

THE membrane considered is one of special type, with cation and anion pores, permeable to potassium but not to larger sodium ions, and permeable at the same time to small anions of the type of chloride, bicarbonate, phosphate, etc., but not to larger anions such as hexose esters, phosphocreatine, etc. The concentrations inside (or within the cell) and outside the membrane are represented as follows: B/V and b, impermeable cations; k₁ and k, potassium; d₁and d, permeable anions; A/V, impermeable non-colloidal anions; C/V, colloidal anions inside; x, external impermeable non-electrolyte such as glucose.