DOI: 10.1515/znc-1973-11-1209. Elastic Properties of Lipid Bilayers: Theory and Possible Experiments

Elastic Properties of Lipid Bilayers: Theory and Possible Experiments

10.1515/znc-1973-11-1209

Crossref journal-article

Walter de Gruyter GmbH

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C (374)

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

Bibliography

Helfrich, W. (1973). Elastic Properties of Lipid Bilayers: Theory and Possible Experiments. Zeitschrift FÃ¼r Naturforschung C, 28(11â12), 693â703.

Authors 1

W Helfrich (first)

References 0 Referenced 4,946

None

Dates

Type	When
Created	8 years, 10 months ago (Sept. 30, 2016, 8:33 a.m.)
Deposited	4 years, 2 months ago (June 22, 2021, 5:34 p.m.)
Indexed	8 minutes ago (Aug. 25, 2025, 9:03 p.m.)
Issued	51 years, 8 months ago (Dec. 1, 1973)
Published	51 years, 8 months ago (Dec. 1, 1973)
Published Online	11 years, 2 months ago (June 2, 2014)
Published Print	51 years, 8 months ago (Dec. 1, 1973)

Funders 0

None

BibTeX

@article{Helfrich_1973, title={Elastic Properties of Lipid Bilayers: Theory and Possible Experiments}, volume={28}, ISSN={0939-5075}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/znc-1973-11-1209}, DOI={10.1515/znc-1973-11-1209}, number={11–12}, journal={Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C}, publisher={Walter de Gruyter GmbH}, author={Helfrich, W}, year={1973}, month=dec, pages={693–703} }

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