The role of the sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium ions in the transfer of bioenergy, and the possibility of their substitution by other cations.

According to a previously presented model, two sodium ions and one calcium ion form an electric polarizing system of the diverging type, which favours the breaking of the high-energy bond of the ATP molecule, while two potassium ions and one magnesium ion form an electric polarizing system of the converging type, which helps the rebuilding of the high-energy bond of the ATP molecule. The condition required by one of the above-mentioned ions to be replaced with another type of ion (belonging to the same subgroup in Mendeleev's Table) capable of having a similar physiologic function is that the substitute ion be included in the same model of electric polarization (convergent or divergent) as the substituted ion. The electrocardiogram and mechanogram of the isolated frog heart were observed. The heart was perfused with a modifier Ringer solution in which some of the normal component ions were replaced with other ions belonging to the same principal subgroup in Mandeleev's Table. The necessary condition provided by the model for two ions of different types to have a resemblance in their physiological activity was confirmed by the results of the experimental data.