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karthik3k
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What happens if one applies an electric field across a live cell ??
DocToxyn said:Extreme electrical fields will do what you would expect and lead to damage and loss of viability.
Moonbear said:Translated into English, that means you'll kill the cells if you zap them with too much electricity!
DocToxyn said:Sorry...I've been writing an article for publication all day. It's hard to get out of that mode.
The electric field allows cells to communicate with each other and respond to their environment. Cells have electrically charged ions and proteins that can move in response to changes in the electric field, allowing for the transmission of signals between cells.
Cells have a specialized protein called ion channels that allow charged particles to flow in and out of the cell, creating an electric potential difference. This electric potential difference, or voltage, is what generates the electric field around the cell.
Electric fields can influence cell behavior in various ways, such as directing cell migration, regulating cell growth and division, and promoting cell differentiation. Electric fields can also modulate the activity of specific proteins and signaling pathways within the cell.
Yes, research has shown that disruptions in the electric fields within our body can lead to various health issues. For example, disruptions in the electric field of the heart can cause arrhythmia, while disruptions in the electric field of the brain can lead to seizures or neurological disorders.
There are various techniques used to measure electric fields in cells, such as patch-clamp electrophysiology, fluorescent imaging of voltage-sensitive dyes, and microelectrode arrays. These methods allow scientists to visualize and quantify the changes in electric fields within cells and tissues.