The rate of exchange of tritiated water across the human red cell membrane.

The flow method of reaction rate measurement has been adapted to the determination of the rate of diffusion of water into the human red cell. In seven experiments the half-time for diffusion exchange has been found to be 4.2 +/- 1.1 msec., which is equivalent to a diffusion flow of 8.6 x 10(-9) ml. H(2)O/(sec., red cell). This figure has been compared with the rate of water entrance under an osmotic pressure gradient, and has been found to be smaller by a factor of 2.5. The difference between these two rates of water entrance has been interpreted as indicating the presence of water-filled channels in the membrane. An estimate of the equivalent radius of these channels (on the assumption of uniform right cylindrical pores) leads to a value of 3.5 A, which is viewed as an operational description of the resistance offered by the membrane to the passage of water.