Bioelectricity
Article
Bioelectricity describes electrical potentials, currents, and fields generated by living cells and tissues. These arise mainly from unequal distributions of ions across cell membranes and the controlled movement of ions through channels, pumps, and transporters.
Rapid bioelectric events include action potentials in nerves and muscles. Slower and more stable voltage patterns also occur in non-excitable cells and can influence cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, wound healing, embryonic development, and tissue regeneration.
Developmental bioelectricity studies how spatial patterns of membrane voltage and electrical coupling help coordinate the formation and repair of anatomical structures. This work complements genetic and biochemical explanations of development by examining information carried through physiological networks.
Measurements are made with intracellular electrodes, extracellular probes, voltage-sensitive dyes, genetically encoded indicators, and other electrophysiological methods. Changes to ion channels or electrical connectivity can alter cellular behaviour and developmental outcomes.
Source details and credits
- Source / publisher: Wikipedia
- URL type: WWW
- Credits: Wikipedia
- URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioelectricity