[Relationship between the modulus of elasticity in the surface of a membrane and the magnitude of its deformity].

The elasticity modulus E parallel in the membrane plane is frequency-independent in the range of 5--10 c.p.s. At room temperature E parallel 6-10(8) dn/cm2, at 4 degrees C E parallel depends strongly upon the degree of deformation-relative membrane surface change delta S/S, E parallel falls from 2-10(9) dn/cm2 if delta S/S = 0.1% down to 6-10(8) dn/cm2 if delta S/S = 1%. This property of E parallel explains the ability of mechanoreceptor membranes to produce a reaction if small stimulii are applied and to oppose the destruction if the latter are large.