Some Similarities Between the Cell Membrane and Artificial Ion-Selective Membranes

Abstract

There are presented some structural and functional similarities between the 
cell membrane and artificial selective membranes. The nervous cell membrane and artificial ion-selective membranes are taken as models and it is analyzed the way their behavior is influenced by some of their common properties. Based on the present theories in this field and also on some experimental data a few conclusions of interest are formulated that could be useful for the knowledge and mastership of the membrane phenomena. A special attention is paid to the interactions between the receptors in the membrane and certain chemical species present in the immiscible media it separates, particularly to those interactions considered to be at the origin of the information transfer at the membrane (both cellular and artificial) level. This particular aspect is of a great interest in biochemistry, biology, physical chemistry and analytical chemistry.