PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECTS IN A BIMOLECULAR LIPID MEMBRANE IN THE PRESENCE OF LIGHT SENSITIVE INORGANIC IONS

Abstract— A new membrane photoeffect of high quantum efficiency is reported. The presence of a number of inorganic ions in the bathing solution of a bimolecular lipid film of oxidized cholesterol causes a change in the measured e.m.f. from -100 to -40 mV (photo e.m.f. effect) and increase in the conductivity by a factor of 100–200 (photoconductive effect) when the ions are excited by light. A model system, based upon the classical Becquerel Effect phenomenon of electronic charge injection into the membrane from electronically excited ions, is suggested and experiments verifying this model are reported. An extension of this model is used to suggest a new mechanism of the visual receptor process in biological photoreceptor structures.