Model for the electrolytic environment and electrostatic properties of biomembranes

Physical and chemical interactions of ions with biomembranes are described by a model originating from the Stern theory. Equations of the model have analytical solutions only for very simple, often unrealistic situations. The numerical resolution adopted permits a much wider application of the model: Potentials and concentrations can be calculated anywhere from the surface and in any electrolytic environment. The model is applied to biomembranes. Simulations are presented in three-dimensional figures which allow one to use the model as a practical research tool. In particular, the simulations reveal that, in practice, it is possible to induce an increase of the surface charge density simultaneously with a decrease of the surface potential, and, theoretically, that the potential at the exclusion distance (which estimates the diffuse layer thickness) exhibits a remarkably constant value as the composition of the free solution is varied.