Entropy-driven tension and bending elasticity in condensed-fluid membranes

E. Evans and W. Rawicz
Phys. Rev. Lett. 64, 2094 – Published 23 April 1990
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Abstract

Sensitive micropipet methods have been used to measure the relation between tension and the projected surface area in fluid membranes of vesicles over a 4-order-of-magnitude range in tension (103–10 dyn/cm). In the low-tension regime (<0.5 dyn/cm), the data confirm the prediction of equilibrium theory that the projected area should increase logarithmically with tension as shape fluctuations become progressively restricted. The slope of log(tension) versus area dilation yields and the elastic bending modulus of the membrane. In the high-tension regime, the projected area crosses over to vary linearly with tension due to direct expansion of area per molecule.

  • Received 13 February 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.64.2094

©1990 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

E. Evans and W. Rawicz

  • Department of Pathology and Department of Physics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1W5

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Vol. 64, Iss. 17 — 23 April 1990

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