Formation of Bimolecular Membranes from Lipid Monolayers and a Study of Their Electrical Properties

摘要: Abstract Bimolecular membranes are formed from two lipid monolayers at an air-water interface by the apposition of their hydrocarbon chains when aperture in a Teflon partition separating aqueous phases is lowered through interface. Formation membrane monitored increase electrical capacity, as measured with voltage clamp. Electrical resistance unmodified analogous to that conventional planar bilayers (black membranes) prepared presence solvent, i.e., 106-108 ohm cm2; can be values 103 cm2 gramicidin, antibiotic modifies conductance only biomolecular thickness. In contrast resistance, there significant difference between capacity made mono-layers and hydrocarbon-containing phase transition; average 0.9 0.45 μF cm-2, respectively. The value cm-2 approximates biological membranes. Assuming dielectric constant 2.1 for region, thickness, calculated 22 A. This 6-10 A smaller than actual thickness region cell membranes, determined x-ray diffraction. may due limited penetration water into near ester groups would lower this reduce Asymmetric have been adjoining different chemical composition.