Abstract
Abstract A theory of the elasticity of lipid bilayers is proposed. Three types of strain, i. e. stretching, tilt and curvature, are distinguished and the associated stresses are identified. It is argued that in the case of vesicles (= closed bilayer films) the only elasticity controlling nonspherical shapes is that of curvature. Euler-Lagrange equations are derived for the shape in magnetic fields and under excess outside pressure. It is shown that magnetic fields can deform spherical vesicles into ellipsoids of revolution. Under excess outside pressure the spherical shape becomes unstable at a certain threshold pressure. Both effects can be influenced by a spontaneous curvature of the bilayer. Some possible experiments to determine the elastic properties are also discussed
Keywords
CurvatureElasticity (physics)BilayerClassical mechanicsLipid bilayerVesicleEllipsoidPhysicsMechanicsMaterials scienceMembraneChemistryMathematicsThermodynamicsGeometry
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Publication Info
- Year
- 1973
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 11-12
- Pages
- 693-703
- Citations
- 6030
- Access
- Closed
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Cite This
W. Helfrich
(1973).
Elastic Properties of Lipid Bilayers: Theory and Possible Experiments.
Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C
, 28
(11-12)
, 693-703.
https://doi.org/10.1515/znc-1973-11-1209
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1515/znc-1973-11-1209