Physics and biology: Bio-plasma physics

The purpose of this paper is to show that plasma physics can be useful in t he investigation of the physical properties of living cells. Concepts like charge neutrality, Debye length, and double layer are very useful to explai n the electrical properties of a cellular membrane. It is hoped that exampl es of physics applications to biology can be useful in giving students of p hysics courses new motivations to study physics and to carry out interdisci plinary studies. This paper can be easily understood by students of physics courses with no previous knowledge of plasma physics or biology. (C) 2000 American Association of Physics Teachers.