Title :
Activation of a single cell by an external field
Author :
Krassowska, Wanda ; Neu, John C.
Author_Institution :
Duke Univ., Durham, NC, USA
Abstract :
This study investigates the mechanism of activation of a single cell subject to an external field. The activation of a cell is a two-stage process consisting of the initial polarization that proceeds with the cellular time constant (0.4 /spl mu/s) and of the actual transition from rest to excited state that proceed with the membrane time constant (6 ms). The second stage is governed by an ordinary differential equation, similar to that of a space-clamped membrane, but involving different state variables and proceeding with different dynamics. Computer simulations illustrate the similarities and differences in the activation process of a single cell and a membrane.<>
Keywords :
bioelectric phenomena; biological effects of fields; cellular effects of radiation; electric field effects; physiological models; 0.4 mus; 2-stage process; 6 ms; computer simulations; excited state; external electric field; membrane time constant; ordinary differential equation; single cell activation; space-clamped membrane; state variables; Application software; Biomembranes; Boundary value problems; Computer simulation; Costs; Differential equations; Electrical stimulation; Extracellular; Integral equations; Polarization;
Conference_Titel :
Computers in Cardiology 1994
Conference_Location :
Bethesda, MD, USA
Print_ISBN :
0-8186-6570-X
DOI :
10.1109/CIC.1994.470111
