The effect of ion channels on cell membrane motion.
Cell membranes possess ion channels and pumps which allow them to pass electrical currents. In this paper it is shown that the ion channels and pumps should induce electric fields in the area surrounding the membrane. The magnitude of this field is computed. It is shown that when the channels and pumps are separated by a sufficient distance, then the electric fields which they induce will cause the solution which surrounds the membrane to move. This movement of the fluid should cause motion of the membrane. Thus it is demonstrated that under certain conditions the conductance of ions across cell membranes will give rise to cell membrane motion. It is suggested that this phenomenon may play a role in processes such as chemotaxis, cell division, and pinocytosis.
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008954:Models, Biological; D009068:Movement
D007473:Ion Channels