A NEW METHOD FOR THE STUDY OF DIFFUSION OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE MATERIAL

Abstract

A simple diffusion apparatus has been described in which a layer of solution is allowed to diffuse upward into a layer of solvent. Accurate sampling is performed at various heights and the concentration of the samples is determined. The method has been illustrated with a determination of the diffusion constant of crystalline catalase, which was found to be 3.1 x 10–7 cm.2/sec. at 4°C. The method should be especially suited to the study of biological substances endowed with specific activity and which cannot be obtained in pure solution.