Equilibria Between Cell Membranes and Electrolyte Solution: Effect of Fatal Accidental Hypothermia.

Equilibria between the membranes of erythrocytes as well as thrombocytes and solution ions in fatal accidental hypothermia were analyzed using a theoretical four-equilibria model. The model was developed to determinate parameters characterizing cell membrane-surrounding ion interactions: the total surface concentrations of both acidic and basic groups C A, C B, and association constants K AH, K BOH. Knowledge of these parameters was necessary to calculate the theoretical values of surface charge density. The model was validated by curve-fitting the experimental data points to simulated data generated by the model. The experimental and theoretical surface charge density values agree at pH 2-8, at higher pH the deviation was observed.