Veronika Kralj-Iglič (Author)

Abstract

Within the statistical mechanical description or the phospholipid bilayer membrane, each monolayer is described as composed of patches containing very many inclusions that are characterized by intrinsic curvatures. A patch is subjected to local membrane curvature whereas summing up the free energies of the patches yields the free energy of the membrane. The origin of the single inclusion energy is the mismatch between the intrinsic curvature of the inclusion and the local curvature of the membrane, however, also direct interactions between inclusions contribute to the free energy. Here we upgrade the description by elaborating direct interactions between inclusions. We assume that the direct interactions are subject to van der Waals forces acting on the interfaces between the inclusion and its nearest neighbours. The expression for the interaction depends on the geometry of the inclusions, distance between them and Hamaker constant. The estimated direct interaction between inclusions of the size of small membrane rafts (20 nm) distanced for 0.2 nm with Hamaker constant 710-21J is W1800 kT.

Keywords

membrane free energy;membrane curvature;membrane shape;shape of the phospholipid membrane;membrane biophysics;hamaker constant;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.08 - Published Scientific Conference Contribution
Organization: UL ZF - University College of Health Studies
UDC: 577
COBISS: 210332931 Link will open in a new window
Views: 35
Downloads: 2
Average score: 0 (0 votes)
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Other data

Type (COBISS): Other
Pages: Str. 85-90
DOI: 10.55295/PSL.11.2024.10
ID: 25242011