The permeation of erythrocytes by cations

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

WHEN erythrocytes are suspended in salt solutions, the amount of anion per- meating varies with the external PH.If acid is added to the external phase., then hydrogen ions and anions penetrate the cell membrane freely.If the penetration of cations like sodium and potassium were also rapid, then the amount of anion penetrating erythrocytes would vary not only with the ex- ternal PH but also with the external salt concentration.It is found, however, that when human erythrocytes are suspended in salt solution at constant PH, the amount of permeating anion changes only slightly with considerable varia- tions in the external salt concentration [Maizels, 1934].In view of these obser- vations it may be concluded that human erythrocytes are not readily permeated by cations, and that the penetration of chloride is prevented by the electrostatic attraction of the non-penetrating cation.