MODELING BEHAVIOR OF BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANE COMPONENTS

Abstract

This paper presents some of our results in modeling biological membrane behavior. Samples of very simple membrane models were built by using fatty acids in liquid crystal state, subjected to different external perturbations, like physical fields and impurities. Typical measurements were performed. Theoretical assumptions and some computer studies by using Table Curve3D capabilities and Matlab libraries allowed us to characterize changes occurred in the structure and ordering of the liquid crystal textures: local mechanical deformations in the systems, director n reorientation, and displacement of the electric charges. These changes determined the nonlinear feature of the the answer of the samples. Theoretical conclusions are experimentally validated and in agreement with other works.