Electricity and biology

Life and electricity are closely connected. All membranes, first the plasma membrane but also intracellular membrane systems, are electrically charged. Virtually all functions of cells and tissues are somehow controlled by the electric field within membranes. It influences the conformation of membrane residual proteins and thereby the functionality of the membrane. Ionic channels in membranes can be controlled by several gating variables resulting in a variable conductivity of the membrane. Therefore, active and passive electrical properties of cells and tissue are well suited for monitoring purposes. Besides the assessment of electrical properties, they can be manipulated by the application of electric field which results either in a change of the functionality of the cells or even in cell killing.