Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Mechanism of Characteristic Behaviour of Cells in an Alternating Electric Field

Abstract

Smith and Chance1 have reported the behaviour of coacervates in an alternating electric field. Earlier, Furedi and Ohad2 observed similar behaviour by live red blood cells in isotonic sucrose suspension of enthrocytes in a high frequency electric field. These microscopic particles show a characteristic elongation at right angles to the electric field followed by a slow rotation of the deformed particle until its longer axis aligns itself parallel to the electric field in a final stable shape. A physical attempt is made below to explain the mechanism of this behaviour.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Smith, A. E., and Chance, A. C., Nature, 209, 74 (1966).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Furedi, A. A., and Ohad, I., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 79, 1 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Jefemenco, O. D., Electricity and Magnetism, 258 (Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1966).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Stratton, J. C., Electromagnetic Theory, 142 (McGraw Hill, 1941).

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  5. Anderson, J. C., Dielectrics, ch. 4, 49 (Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1964).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

SHARMA, R. Mechanism of Characteristic Behaviour of Cells in an Alternating Electric Field. Nature 214, 83–84 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1038/214083a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/214083a0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing