Effect of silicic acid on surface potential of erythrocytes.

A potential-generating effect of ortho-silicic acid on the surface potentials of erythrocyte membranes was demonstrated by a potentiometric method using platinum electrodes. With concentration rising from 10(-7) to 10(-4) the silicic acid reduced potential of washed erythrocytes which reached the final concentration a value about 36 mV. Higher concentrations of acid caused haemolysis.