THE EFFECT OF DIVALENT MERCURY, LEAD, CADMIUM CHLORIDES ON THE ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF CEPHALIN BILAYER MEMBRANES
二价汞、铅、镉氯化物对脑磷脂平板双分子层膜电特性的影响

In this paper, we have studied the effects of heavy metals on the electrical properties of cephalin planar bilayer membrane separating two aqueous solutions. The existance of divalent mercury, lead, cadmium chlorides reduces the resistance of BLM, (that is, an increase in permeabilities) . The life-time and breakdown voltage of BLM are decreased also while the concentration of heavy metals in bathing solution get higher.This suggests that membrane mechanical fragility is increased so the membrane is broken easily.But other divalent metal chlorides, such as Mg2+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, don't have such effects on BLM.This convinced us that the toxic effect of Hg, Pb, and Cd on living beings involves the direct influence on the lipid bilayer of biological membrane.