Voltage-sensitive ion channels: biophysics of molecular excitability

Voltage-sensitive ion channels are macromolecules embedded in the membranes of nerve and muscle fibers of animals. Because of their physiological functions, biochemical structures and electrical switching properties, they are at an intersection of biology, chemistry and physics. Despite decades of intensive research under the traditional approach of gated structural pores, the relation between the structure of these molecules and their function remains enigmatic.This book critically examines physically oriented approaches not covered in other ion-channel books. It looks at optical and thermal as well as electrical data, and at studies in the frequency domain as well as in the time domain. Rather than presenting the reader with only an option of mechanistic models at an inappropriate pseudo-macroscopic scale, it emphasizes concepts established in organic chemistry and condensed state physics. Critically examines existing models of structure--function relations, guided by experimental data and physical principles Unifies topics from electrophysiology, condensed-state physics,polymer chemistry and genetic engineering as they bear on the problem of molecular excitability Deals with optical, thermal and mechanical as well as electrical measurements -- in the frequency domain as well as the time domain

• ISBN: 978-1-4020-5524-9
• Editorial: Springer
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 510
• Fecha Publicación: 01/02/2008
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés