ISSN:
0020-7608
Keywords:
Computational Chemistry and Molecular Modeling
;
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
It has been demonstrated that externally applied electric fields perturb the distribution of some of the molecular components of biological membranes. Various electrostatic, hydrodynamic, and structural forces that result from the application of the external field influence both the dynamics and equilibrium distribution of intermembranous molecules. From a model we have shown that the electrostatic force arising from the polarization of the counterion distribution will have a significant effect on the migration of charged membrane components. For small fields this effect on migration is independent of cell size and inversely related to temperature. In a similar model, alternating electric fields are shown to perturb the distribution of charged intermembraneous components in a manner that is not reversed in a single cycle, and while the induced dipole moment of the cell after several complete cycles is small, the induced quadrupole moment is much more significant. The effect of various physical parameters within these models will be shown.
Additional Material:
4 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/qua.560260726
