Chemoelastic Effect of Membranes

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Abstract
The elastic theory of a uniaxial membrane in an asymmetric environment predicts a spontaneous splay deformation. This spontaneous curvature of the membrane is discussed by the intrinsic splay of the membrane molecules (e. g. wedge shaped molecules) and their polar orientation. The chemoelastic effect is the polar orientation induced by the asymmetric environment in connection with the intrinsic splay. This effect is also discussed for polyelectrolytes where a small change of pH (~0.1) can lead to a spontaneous curvature of 104 cm-1. The actual shape of red blood cells can be explained by the spontaneous splay and a change in environment induces the change in shape of these cells. A model is proposed for two conical bodies swimming in a uniaxial membrane which interact with each other through elastic coupling. The force between the bodies can be either attractive or repulsive. As an example of this model clustering of proteins is discussed.

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