GIBBS DONAN

EQUILIBRIUM
• The Gibbs-Donnan effect describes the unequal distribution of
permeant charged ions on either side of a semipermeable membrane
which occurs in the presence of impermeant charged ions
• At Gibbs-Donnan equilibrium,
• On each side of the membrane, each solution will be electrically neutral
• The product of diffusible ions on one side of the membrane will be
equal to the product of diffusible ions on the other side of the
membrane
• The electrochemical gradients produced by unequal distribution of
charged ions produces a transmembrane potential difference which can
be calculated using the Nernst equation
• The presence of impermeant ions on one side of the membrane creates
an osmotic diffusion gradident attracting water into that compartment.
• The mechanisms which maintain the resting membrane potential and the mechanisms of the Gibbs-
Donnan effect are different phenomena:
• The Donnan equlibrium is a completely passive process: i.e. no active transporters are involved in
maintaining this equilibrium.
• A Donnan equilibrium is an equilibrium, i.e. ion concentrations on either side of the barrier are static.
• If the Donnan equilibrium were to become fully established, the increase in intracellular ions would
cause cells to swell due to the osmotic influx of water.
• At a Donnan equilibrium, the resting membrane potential would be only about -20 mV. This potential
would exist even if the membrane permeability for all ions was the same.
• The resting membrane potential, in contrast, requires different permeabilities for potassium and for
sodium, and is maintained actively by constant Na+/K+ ATPase activity.
• Because biological membranes (especially of exciteable tissues) are never at equilibrium, the Goldman-
Hodgkin-Katz equation is usually a better choice for explaining their electrochemical behaviour.