Studies on the Activc Transport of Lithium in the Isolated Frog Skin

Abstract

Summary. The transport of lithium ions by the isolated surviving frog skin has been studied. By using the technique of short‐circuiting the skin it was first shown that the usual equality of net sodium transport and short‐circuit current was disturbed and, secondly, that this disturbance can be accounted for by the quantity of lithium which has passed through the skin plus the quantity which has accumulated in the skin. It was further demonstrated that lithium arid sodium compete on an equal basis in the transport process. Finally the ability of the frog skin to move lithium against an electrochemical gradient was shown, thus establishing the active nature of lithium transport.