Electromagnetism, Quanta, and Electron Flow in the Electrophysiology of Living Cells

Description

Electrons are involved in all electrical phenomena, and living cells cannot be an exception. This book takes on a decidedly different approach to existing texts on electrophysiology, by considering electrical physiological processes from the viewpoint of electron flow, rather than the conventional notion of ion movement. It concisely describes the theoretical background of electron density and cellular voltage, before exploring thought-provoking questions such as the relationship between electrolyte distribution and transmembrane potential, and the source of electricity generation in living cells. A new electromagnetic theory of muscular function is presented, and all topics of relevance — including the electrophysiology of invertebrates, plants, fungi and bacteria — are comprehensively covered. Using plain language and more than 40 original illustrations, the author has designed each chapter to provide a succinct overview of an individual topic in a format that appeals to both the expert and the uninitiated. Electromagnetism, Quanta, and Electron Flow in the Electrophysiology of Living Cells proffers a refreshingly new way to understand a fascinatingly old subject. Contents Acknowledgements About the Author Preface Abbreviations [A] Introduction Chapter 1. Facts and definitions Chapter 2. What about volts? Chapter 3. What is the current idea about cellular voltage? Chapter 4. The concept of electron density Chapter 5. Does the electrolyte distribution actually determine the trans-membrane potential? Chapter 6. Where, in living cells, is electricity generated? Chapter 7. Depolarisation (loss of cytoplasmic electron density) activation Chapter 8. A test of the impedance hypothesis Chapter 9. Fast depolarisation in conducting tissues Chapter 10. Repolarisation Chapter 11. The calcium, sodium and potassium problems Chapter 12. Excitation-contraction coupling in muscles The effect of the Ca2+ problem on skeletal muscle electrophysiology Chapter 13. The effect of the Ca2+ problem on cardiac muscle electrophysiology Chapter 14. Mechanical restitution and the optimal contractile response Chapter 15. Internal calcium ion release and recirculation [B] Non-Electromagnetic Theory versus Electromagnetic Theory of Muscular Function Chapter 16. Objections to the non-electromagnetic theory of striated muscle Chapter 17. Different theories Towards an alternative theory Chapter 18. Electromagnetic theory of muscle contraction Chapter 19. Electrophysiology of smooth muscle Vascular smooth muscle Chapter 20. Flow-mediated dilatation Role of nitric oxide in restoring electron density Chapter 21. Pulmonary vessels Role of hypoxia and serotonin Chapter 22. Non-vascular smooth muscle Gut Ducts Bladder, ureter, urethra and urinary sphincter Chapter 23. Hierarchy of vertebrate muscle [C] Other Organs Chapter 24. Electrophysiology of endocrine glands Pituitary-hypothalamus complex: “The conductor of the endocrine orchestra” Electrophysiology of the endocrine pancreas Electrophysiology of the thyroid follicular cells Electrophysiology of the parathyroid glands Electrophysiology of the pineal gland Testosterone-secreting cells (Leydig cells) Adrenal gland Chapter 25. Electrophysiology of exocrine glands Pancreatic acinar cells Salivary acinar cells Other exocrine glands Chapter 26. Exceptions to any general model Electrophysiology of the liver Electrophysiology of the kidney Electrophysiology of the lung Electrophysiology of the ear Electrophysiology of the eye — an exceptional exception Chapter 27. Central and autonomic nervous systems Chapter 28. Receptors affecting perception Pain receptors Stretch receptors Muscle stretch receptors Gut stretch receptors Touch receptors Chapter 29. Receptors initiating feedback control reflexes Baroreceptors Baroreflex Taste and smell receptors Other chemoreceptors Chapter 30. Summary and general comments on vertebrate animals [D] Invertebrates Chapter 31. The electrophysiology of invertebrates Insects Molluscs Slugs Snails Squid Octopus Mussels Jellyfish Animals [E] Interlude Chapter 32. Electricity passing through flesh From cardiac action potentials to ECG Passage of some electricity from the heart to the body surface Frontal plane (2D) vector analysis Anterior to posterior vector analysis [F] Other Organisms Chapter 33. Plants Land plants The pathway of electrons Sea plants Chapter 34. Fungi Chapter 35. “Primitive” organisms Amoebae Slime moulds Plankton Hydra Lamprey Chapter 36. Bacteria Microbiome Archaea Viruses and Phages Light-emitting organisms Epilogue References Index