Model of active transport of ions through diatom cell biomembrane.

A model of the active transport of ions in the Cascinodiscus wailesii diatom cell is constructed taking into account the transport of H(+), Na(+), K(+), Ca(+2), NO(3)(-), Cl(-), and NH(4)(+) ions. This model allows calculating intracellular concentrations of basic ions and the biomembrane resting potential. A hierarchical algorithm "one ion--one transport system" is used in the model. The dependence of the resting potential on the extracellular concentration of potassium is plotted in terms of the model. The calculated values are in good agreement with the corresponding experimental data.