Permeability and damage of the erythrocyte membrane at -1 degree C to -9 degrees C shown by the NMR relaxation method

Amount of inter--and extracellular unfrozen water in the intact human erythrocytes as well as tau a, "a life time" of water molecules in these cells, have been determined. The progressive compression of the erythrocytes during freezing them as deep as -5 degrees C has been found to submit to the ideal osmometer law. The membrane impermeability to Mn2+ ions has been disturbed when the temperature falls to -7 degrees C and below, the erythrocytes reaching "the minimal volume".