Stress-Relaxation Studies on Hydrated Callus Strips II: Effects of Some Electrolytes and Nonelectrolytes in Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

Mechanical responses of stretched, hydrated callus strips to several electrolytes and nonelectrolytes in dilute aqueous solutions have been determined. At equal concentrations of cations (of the order of 0.1 M), sodium chloride, potassium chloride, lithium chloride, and sodium sulfate produced marked decreases in tension essentially indistinguishable from each other. Magnesium chloride elicited a similar response but at much lower concentrations. The limiting values at higher concentration were, however, roughly the same as those produced by the monovalent cations. The astringency of aluminum ion was clearly reflected in the behavior of the cornified strip to its salts. Responses to urea and dextrose solutions have also been studied.