Abstract
The effects of electrical fields on the shape and volume of normal and abnormal red blood cells (RBC) are discussed. If an electrical field of 2-3 kV/cm is applied to the suspension of RBC, normal biconcave erythrocytes transform into spherocytes and their mean volume will increase from the usual volume of 90 µm3 to 160-170/µm3 in several minutes. There are two possible explanations for this phenomenon. The one is the membrane perforation by the potential induced by electrical field and subsequent influx of water. The other Is the mechanical surface traction caused by applied fields. The second mechanism will be discussed mainly in this paper.

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