Oxygen solubilization by lung surfactant.
To illustrate the concept of solubilization as a possible mode of gas transport in biological systems, dog lung surfactants in varying concentrations were tested for their ability to solubilize oxygen. The degree of gas solubilization was determined by GC, using a modified tonometer as an absorption chamber. The concentration of surfactant was found to be an essential factor for gas solubilization. Surfactant concentration above the CMC yielded anomalously high gas absorption. Solubilization of the gas is thought to occur by a partitioning effect into the interior of surfactant micelles.
D000818:Animals; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004285:Dogs; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D012995:Solubility; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D013997:Time Factors; D014020:Tissue Extracts
D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014020:Tissue Extracts; D010100:Oxygen