Infra-red Examination of the Association of Cornea Proteins with Water

Abstract

WATER, the most abundant molecular constituent of the body, is the necessary polar solvent in which physiological and biochemical units associated with cellular biology occur. It forms hydrogen bonds with cellular components which contain polar structural groups such as the protein collagen¹ found in the cornea. Direct evidence for molecular perturbations that occur during change in water content in intact tissue has been lacking, although changes are believed to occur. The present work is concerned with the demonstration and interpretation of the changes that occur in the infra-red spectra of the ox cornea during dehydration and during attempts at rehydration.