Effects of Photodynamic Action on the Cell Membrane of Euglena

The effects of photodynamic action on the cell membrane of Euglena gracilis were investigated by means of studies on dye binding and electrophoretic mobility. Molecular species of alkaline or acid dyes can penetrate the membrane to about the same extent. Once the cell has been injured by pbotodynamic action, ils ahility to exclude large ions is partially lost; it becomes greatly more permeable to dye anions. Binding of rose bengal induces an increased negative charge on Euglena cells which is reversed by subsequent photosensitized damage to the cells.