Studies on fragments of rod outer segments from bovine retinas.

Monolayers of fragments of our rod segments were formed at an air-water interface. The area of these particles was measured as a function of the pH of the aqueous phase. A maximum area was measured at pH 6.5. The film was characterised by measuring the decrease in surface pressure, after compression, and the half time required to reach constant pressure. At a pH between 6 and 7 the decrease in surface pressure was a minimum. Irradiation of films of fragments resulted in a decrease in surface potential of between 30 and 40 mV. The largest decrease occured at a pH between 6 and 6.5. A small decrease in surface pressure was also observed upon irradiation. Mixed films of fragments and phosphatidyl ethanolamine were examined. Irradiation of the mixed film resulted in a 70 mV decrease in surface potential.