Biological interphases

Kleijn, J. M. and van Leeuwen, H. P. (2000). Electrostatic and electrodynamic properties of biological interphases. In Physical Chemistry of Biological Interfaces. eds. Baszkin, A. and Norde, W., Marcel Dekker, New York, pp. 49-63. 

How fast does an electric double layer in a biological interphase and the adjacent solution build up or adjust itself to changing conditions In other words, what are the characteristic time constants for formation of the inter-phasial double layer ... 

In many interfacial conversion processes, certainly those at biological interphases, the diffusion situation is complicated by the fact that the concentration at the organism surface is not constant with time (c°(f) not constant). However, in most cases of steady-state convective diffusion, the changes in the surface... 

Against simplistic views of the FIAM, it is necessary to stress that the model does not imply that the free metal ion is the only species available to the microorganism [2,14], Indeed, the internalisation flux (i.e. the rate of acquisition) depends on the free metal ion concentration at the biological interphase (which in the FIAM is practically cj ), but metal bound to a ligand in the solution can dissociate, can diffuse (under a negligible gradient according to the FIAM), and can eventually be taken up. 

Chemical Speciation of Organics and of Metals at Biological Interphases... 

Interaction of Metal Species with Biological Interphases. 241... 

On the other hand, the presence of hydrophobic complexes is a prerequisite for partitioning and diffusion of metals into the lipid bilayer. In the following paragraphs, various types of metal complexes will be discussed, which are relevant to the interactions of metals in aquatic systems. The role of these various types of metal complexes with respect to interactions at the biological interphases will be systematically examined. 

INTERACTION OF METAL SPECIES WITH BIOLOGICAL INTERPHASES... 

In the following section, the role of the various types of complexes mentioned above will be discussed with regard to various mechanisms of interactions at biological interphases. It is clear that metal ions and hydrophilic complexes cannot distribute into the membrane lipid bilayer or cross it. The role of hydrophilic ligands has thus to be discussed in relation to binding of metals by biological ligands. In contrast, hydrophobic complexes may partition into the lipid bilayer of membranes (see below, Section 6). 

To describe the dynamics of metals at biological interphases in the presence of various ligands, the kinetics of dissociation of the complexes have to be taken into account in relation to the diffusion and to the uptake kinetics ([14] and Chapters 3 and 10 in this volume). Based on kinetic criteria, labile and inert complexes can be distinguished as limiting cases with regard to biological uptake ([14] and Chapter 3, this volume). 

There is an abundant research on the interactions of HIOCs and metals with biological interphases, in which organic chemicals and metals are treated independently. However, few studies have considered the role of combinations of HIOCs with metals. There is a particular lack of mechanistic approaches. With regard to the metals, the FIAM has been very successful, but it remains to be shown under which conditions additional interactions, such as partitioning of hydrophobic complexes and uptake of specific complexes, are important for metal uptake and toxic effects. In particular, the role of hydrophobic complexes with both natural and pollutant compounds in natural waters has not yet been fully elucidated, since neither their abundance nor their behaviour at biological interphases are known in detail. 

Escher, B. and Sigg, L. (2004). Chemical speciation of organics and metals at biological interphases. In Physicochemical Kinetics and Transport at Biointerfaces. eds. van Leeuwen, H. P. and Koster, W., Vol. 9, IUPAC Series on Analytical and Physical Chemistry of Environmental Systems, Series eds. Buffle, J. and van Leeuwen, H. P., John Wiley Sons Ltd, Chichester, pp. 205-269. 

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