BIOELECTRORHEOLOGICAL MODEL OF THE CELL .4. ANALYSIS OF THE EXTENSIL DEFORMATION OF CELLULAR MEMBRANE IN ALTERNATING ELECTRIC-FIELD

Analysis of the angular distribution of extensil mechanical stress, si gma(e), generated in cytoplasmic membranes by an external oscillating electric field, is presented. Theoretical considerations show that sig ma(e) is directly proportional to the local relative increase in membr ane area and/or to the local relative decrease in its thickness. The m agnitude of this stress depends on the position of the analyzed point of the membrane in relation to field direction. The maximal value, sig ma0e, is reached at the cell ''poles.'' The magnitude of sigma0e depen ds on electric and geometric parameters (in particular on field freque ncy) of the system studied. The foregoing analysis can be applied to q uantitatively describe the destabilizing effects of the electric field on the cellular membrane, leading to its poration, fusion, and destru ction.