Light-Beating Spectrum of Erythrocyte Ghosts

Abstract

We have measured the optical mixing spectrum of erythrocyte ghosts prepared in a manner that restores the ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$-${\mathrm{K}}^{+}$ active transport mechanism contained in the cell membrane. The homodyne spectrum contains an intense spectral line centered at about 170 Hz in addition to an expected line at 0 Hz. Evidence is presented which relates the shifted spectral component to the active transport process.