Analysis of the Diffusion Symmetry Developed by the Alkaline and Acid Bands which form at the Surface of Chara corallina Cells

The diffusion symmetry developed by the alkaline and aeid bandsof Chara corallina was studied. The alkaline system developeda diffusion pattern which could not be fitted to the equationfor a continuous point-source efflux. However, good correlationwas obtained between experimental data and the diffusion equationfor a hollow sphere. The calculated OH- efflux values, obtainedusing the equation of a continuous spherical-surface source,were checked against the influx values of H₁₄ obtained under the same experimental conditions. IndividualOH– band efflux values ranged from 0.07 to 5.95 pmol s^–1and total cell fluxes of 25 pmol cm^–2 s^–1 for OH^-and H were obtained (in the presence of 0.5 mM NaHCO₃). The acid system developed a cylindrical diffusion pattern, butthis could not be fitted to a mathematical equation. Numericalanalysis will have to be employed to obtain values of H⁺ efflux.