Microelectrode studies on the membrane properties of isolated mitochondria. II. Absence of a metabolic dependence.

Mitochondrial membrane potentials and resistances have been determined under various metabolic conditions by the use of piezoelectric-driven microelectrodes. The mean state 3 potentials (about +19 mv) are higher than the potentials in state 4 (about +9 mv). DNP in uncoupling concentrations or KCN have no significant effect on membrane resistance or potential. Previous experiments have shown the potential to be sensitive to mitochondrial swelling and have suggested that it depends predominantly on anionic distribution.