What Happens When an Electric Field is Applied to a Live Cell?

[karthik3k]

What happens if one applies an electric field across a live cell ??

 

[Gonzolo]

This would be a relatively easy experiment to try. One could measure the reproductivity rate vs electric field strength or frequency. I'm curious...

 

[iansmith]

Ever heared of electroporation

http://opbs.okstate.edu/~melcher/MG/MGW4/MG431.html

http://www-fp.mcs.anl.gov/ccst/research/reports_pre1998/comp_bio/electroporation/

 

[karthik3k]

is that the only effect due of field ??

 

[DocToxyn]

I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but electromagnetic fields and their potential effects on cells and whole animals have been studied for years. A PubMed search for "electromagnetic field" brings up about 8000 articles.

If you can refine your question to the strength of the electric field put across it, we may be able to better address the issue. Very small changes in electric potential are used regularly by cells to signal events such as nerve terminal depolarization. Such events can be re-created using electrophysiological equipment, then the processes can be studied under controlled conditions. Extreme electrical fields will do what you would expect and lead to damage and loss of viability.

 

[Moonbear]

Extreme electrical fields will do what you would expect and lead to damage and loss of viability.

Translated into English, that means you'll kill the cells if you zap them with too much electricity!

 

[DocToxyn]

Translated into English, that means you'll kill the cells if you zap them with too much electricity!

Sorry...I've been writing an article for publication all day. It's hard to get out of that mode.

 

[Moonbear]

Sorry...I've been writing an article for publication all day. It's hard to get out of that mode.

No problem. I should have tossed in a smiley to show it was meant in good humor. <-- There, now there's a smiley.