Electrokinetic Aspects of Cell Surfaces

Abstract

All living cells are surrounded by membranes, which are their major interface with the external environment, and it’s only through the special properties of these selective permeability barriers that cells can regulate their intracellular environment within the limits necessary for optimal function. The surface [or plasma] membrane of a living cell also plays very significant roles in a range of fundamental biological processes such as growth, cell division, secretion, motile activities, cell to cell recognition and mito- genicity to name just a few. Moreover, many of the cell’s biochemical pathways necessary to maintain metabolic health are controlled by supplies of fuel entering the cell through its surface membrane and by molecular stimuli acting on surface receptors from which a signal is transduced into the cell interior to trigger metabolic and functional processes.