CUTOFF EFFECT OF N-ALKANOLS IN AN EXCITABLE MODEL MEMBRANE COMPOSED OF DIOLEYL PHOSPHATE

A series of n-alkanols from ethanol to tridecanol interacted with a negatively charged lipid membrane composed of dioleyl phosphate, which exhibited a self-sustained oscillation of the membrane potential. A cutoff effect was observed in the electrical characteristics of the membrane; e.g., alkanols with carbon atoms less than 11 decreased the membrane resistance and alkanols with more than 12 carbon atoms increased it. n-Alkanols usually depressed the oscillation of the membrane potentials as it has been observed in biological systems. Electrochemical theory provided a quantitative explanation of the observed electrical charactersitics.