title: The effects of mucus and mucilaginous materials on ion-distributions at epithelial surfaces.
abstract: Mucous layers on epithelial surfaces may have a range of functions. One approach used to investigate these is to measure the distribution of ions within the mucous layers using ion-sensitive microelectrodes. The results of several studies are reviewed. It is clear that these layers do influence the distribution of ions at epithelial surfaces and by a variety of mechanisms. Processes such as active ion-transport and passive diffusion interact with the diffusional and ion-exchange properties of mucus to produce complex distributions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Buckingham, UK.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Shephard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004058:Diffusion; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D007477:Ions; D009093:Mucus / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D007477:Ions