EFFECTS OF BIOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT SUBSTANCES ON SPONTANEOUS ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL OSCILLATION ACROSS A LIQUID MEMBRANE OF A WATER VERTICAL-BAR-OCTANOL-VERTICAL-BAR WATER-SYSTEM

Electrical potential oscillation across a liquid membrane of an octano l solution interposed between two water solutions, one containing a su rfactant, was measured to examine the effects of biologically importan t substances on the mode of oscillation. Lipids and drugs caused chang es in the amplitude, oscillatory period and induction period of potent ial oscillation. The changes depended on the type and concentration of lipid and drug was correlated with drug pharmacological activity. The change in the mode of potential oscillation was due to a structural c hange in the dodecyl sulfate ion layer adsorbed at the octanol/water i nterface.