Theory of the intermediate rippled phase of phospholipid bilayers.
A mathematical model of the periodic, rippled P beta' phase of phosphatidylcholine is described. In this model the P beta' phase shows a periodic variation in membrane properties corresponding to a lateral periodic variation between fluid-like and crystal-like states. The model is based on a curvature-dependent Landau-de Gennes free-energy functional. Our proposed form of the curvature-dependent free energy remedies a subtle mathematical flaw in an earlier model having similar physical content [Falkovitz, M. F., Seul, M., Frisch, H. L. & McConnell, H. M. (1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 79, 3918-3921].
D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010743:Phospholipids
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010743:Phospholipids