Solid State Biology, Cellular Water Structure, and Ion Complexing with Application to Navy Medicine.
Abstract
An instrument to measure pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation times of biological potassium (39K) has been constructed. NMR relaxation times of 39K have been measured in muscle, brain and E. Coli bacteria, and has been found to be much shorter than for 39K in free solution, approaching the short values observed for 39K complexed by ion exchange resin. This evidence suggests that potassium ion in cells is associated with fixed charge groups on macromolecules and is not in free solution. Solid state physical analyses of biological systems have suggested that detection of weak magnetic fields (0.5-1.0 gauss) by living organisms may occur by superconductive Josephson junctions constructed of organic molecules, and that piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity may participate in force and temperature detection by nerve receptors. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- AD0773461
Entities
People
- Freeman W. Cope
Organizations
- Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster