Modifications of the Dielectric Properties of Biological Membranes by Heating

Abstract

Biological cell suspensions are known to show dielectric dispersions due to the Maxwell-Wagner mechanism. Many examples are summarized in a number of papers by Schwan [7, 9, 10]. By the application of an appropriate analysis to the dielectric dispersion, it is possible to estimate electrical phase parameters related to protoplasm and cell membrane. A dielectric theory of interfacial polarization for a suspension of conducting particles (protoplasm) covered with poorly conducting shells (plasma membrane) was developed by Pauly and Schwan [7], and was satisfactory applied for low volume fractions of suspended particles (less than about 0.2). The purpose of this paper is to examine the change in yeast plasma membrane permittivity after heating treatment, by using the Pauly and Schwan's theory.