The characteristics of the experimentally measured trans-membrane potential (TMP) generated across an artificial membrane intervening two KCl solutions were found to be explicable using simple principles of electrochemistry, as given within the context of Association Induction Hypothesis (AIH). AIH suggests that the heterogeneous ion distribution which is caused by the adsorption of a mobile ion onto an immobile phase (bearing charge opposite to that of the mobile ion) is responsible for the TMP generation. Therefore, this work proposes AIH could be an important foundation for explaining the origin of TMP. Our experimental observation of nonzero TMP across an electrically charged non-biological/synthetic membrane is found to be intriguing, as such outcomes are classically associated to ion-pumping activities of membrane proteins in a living matter. Another experimental observation of nonzero potential across a neutral membrane is even more intriguing. Such a potential behavior is more in harmony with murburn concept, a new proposal for explaining redox metabolic and physiological phenomena.
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