Abstract
A method is described for the simultaneous measurements of influx and efflux of potassium ions through the cell membranes of Bacillus megaterium. The methods employed consisted of the use of two radioisotopes of potassium added to the culture media at different times. The values obtained, for logarithmic phase cells, were: influx = 6.6 ± 2.5 p moles/cm 2 second, and efflux = 3.6 ± 1.5 p moles/cm 2 second. The errors result mainly from the determination of the volume and surface area of the cells, and from variations in the reproducibility of the experiments. The ratio of efflux to influx, R ≅ 0.55 ± 0.1, was more reproducible, and does not depend on the value of the surface area of cells, and is therefore more accurate. Indications were that the efflux of potassium ions was largely of the exchange diffusion type.
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