Brownian motion in biological membranes

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1975 Aug;72(8):3111-3. doi: 10.1073/pnas.72.8.3111.

Abstract

Brownian motion (diffusion) of particles in membranes occurs in a highly anisotropic environment. For such particles a translational mobility (independent of velocity) can be defined if the viscosity of the liquid embedding the membrane is taken into account. The results of a model calculation are presented. They suggest that for a realistic situation translational diffusion should be about four times faster in relation to rotational diffusion than in the isotropic case.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anura
  • Biological Transport
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Diffusion*
  • Mathematics
  • Membranes / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Rhodopsin / metabolism
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Rhodopsin