Leaky membrane dynamics.
A concentration difference of particles across a membrane perforated by pores will induce a diffusive flux. If the diffusing objects are of the same length scale as the pores, diffusion may not be simple; objects can move into the pore in a configuration that requires them to back up in order to continue forward. A configuration that blocks flow through the pore may be statistically preferred, an attracting metastable state of the system. This effect is purely kinetic, and not dependent on potentials, friction, or dissipation. We discuss several geometries which generate this effect, and introduce a heuristic model which captures the qualitative features.
Shaw
Robert S
RS
ProtoLife Inc., 57 Post Street #513, San Francisco, California 91104, USA. rob@protolife.com
Packard
Norman H
NH
D001692:Biological Transport; D004058:Diffusion; D008566:Membranes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D016062:Porosity; D011336:Probability