When a cell membrane is attached to an inert surface, ionic current ma
y flow from the bath along the narrow cleft between membrane and surfa
ce into the cell kept at constant potential. This current modifies the
voltage across the membrane due to the voltage drop in the cleft. As
a result, the conductance of voltage-gated ion channels is affected. B
y positive feedback, smooth gating is transformed into switching with
bistability, hysteresis, and memory as shown by cable theory. Self-gat
ing in cell adhesion is triggered by minute modulations of the attachm
ent or of the intracellular potential.