Abstract
C. and D. van Breeman have reported1 that radioactive calcium passes more slowly through an artificial membrane when calcium is absent from the trans side of the membrane than when it is present. Following a general practice, they call the phenomenon exchange diffusion. Because the membrane was a porous structure they say that exchange diffusion was demonstrated in the absence of carriers, although exchange diffusion was previously regarded as evidence for the existence of carriers. I wish to point out that the apparent contradiction arises because “exchange diffusion” is currently used to name two different phenomena.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
van Breeman, C., and van Breeman, D., Nature, 223, 898 (1969).
Behn, U., Ann. Phys. Chem. Neue Folge, 62, 54 (1897).
Ussing, H. H., Acta Physiol. Scand., 19, 43 (1949).
Britton, H. G., Nature, 198, 190 (1963).
Britton, H. G., Nature, 205, 1323 (1965).
Britton, H. G., Nature, 209, 296 (1966).
Rosenberg, T., and Wilbrandt, W. J., J. Gen. Physiol., 41, 289 (1957).
Widdas, W. F., J. Physiol., 118, 23 (1952).
Keynes, R. D., J. Physiol., 114, 119 (1951).
Britton, H. G., J. Theor. Biol., 10, 28 (1966).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BRITTON, H. Exchange Diffusion. Nature 225, 746–747 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/225746a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/225746a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
