Abstract
The possibility that living cells are capable of high frequency electrical oscillations was first suggested by Fröhlich in a series of papers (Fröhlich 1968,1980,1982). His theoretical development noted that an extremely high electric field exists across all biological membranes (107 V/m) and that the highly polarized molecules within these membranes could interact cooperatively under certain conditions. Fröhlich calculated that if the thermal vibrational modes that existed in the membrane received energy above a threshold energy, then the modes would condense into one coherent mode having a frequency in the range 1011−1012 Hz. Further work (Fröhlich 1984) revealed that polar modes in biological molecules, and larger systems, exist with both higher and lower frequencies. Stimulated by this proposal, a number of different lines of investigation have given evidence that these oscillations do, indeed, exist.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Epstein IR, Kustin K, de Kepper, Orban M (1983) Oscillating chemical reactions. Scientific American 248 (3): 112–123
Fröhlich H (1968) Long range coherence and energy storage in biological systems. Int J Quantum Chem 2: 641–649
Fröhlich H (1980) The biological effects of microwaves and related questions. Adv Electronics Electron Phys 53:85–152 Fröhlich H (1982) What are non-thermal electric biological effects? Bioelectromagnetics 3: 45–46
Fröhlich H (1984) General theory of coherent excitations on biological systems. In: Adey WR, Lawrence AF (eds) Nonlinear electrodynamics in biological systems. Plenum, New York, p491–496
Jafary-Asl AH, Smith CW (1983) Biological dielectric in electric and magnetic fields. IEEE Annu Rep Conf Elec Insulation Dielectric Phenomena, p 350
Jones TB (1979) Dielectrophoretic force calculation. J Electrostatics 6: 69–82
Noyes RM, Field RJ (1974) Annu Rev Phys Chem 25: 95
Noyes RM, Field RJ (1977) Oscillations in chemical systems. Acc Chem Res 10 (8): 273–280
Paul R, Chatterjee R, Tuszynski JA, Fritz OG (1983) Theory of long-range coherence in biological systems. I. The anomalous behavior of human erythrocytes. J Theor Biol 104:169–185 Phillips W, Pohl HA, Pollock JK (1987) Evidence for AC fields produced by mammalian cells. Bioelectrochem Bioenerg 17:287–296 Pohl HA (1951) The motion and precipitation of suspensoids in divergent electric fields. J Appl Phys 22: 869–871
Pohl HA (1978) Dielectrophoresis. The behavior of neutral matter in nonuniform electric fields. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Pohl HA (1980) Micro-dielectrophoresis of dividing cells. In: Keyzer H, Gutmann F (eds) Bioelectrochemistry. Plenum, New York, p 273–295
Pohl HA (1981) Natural electrical RF oscillation from cells. J Bioenerg Biomembr 13: 149–169
Pohl HA (1982) Natural cellular electrical resonances. Int J Quantum Chem: Quantum Biol Symp 9: 399–409
Pohl HA (1983) Natural AC fields in and about cells. In: Adey WR, Lawrence AF (eds) Nonlinear electrodynamics in biological systems. Plenum, New York, p 87
Pohl HA (1985) AC field effects of and by living cells. In: Chiabrera A, Niccolini C, Schwan HP (eds) Interactions between electromagnetic fields and cells. NATO ASI Series A, Life Sciences. Plenum, New York, p 435–457
Pohl HA, Lamprecht I (1985) Wechselfelder umgeben wachsende Zellen. Die Umschau 6: 366–367
Pohl HA, Braden T, Robinson S, Piclardi J, Pohl DG (1981) Life cycle alterations of the micro-dielectrophoretic effect of cells. J Biol Phys 9: 133–154
Rivera H, Pollock JK, Pohl HA (1985) The ac field patterns about living cells. Cell Biophys 7: 43–55
Rowlands S, Sewchand LS (1982) A quantum mechanical interaction of human erythrocytes. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 60: 52–59
Rowlands S, Sewchand LS, Lovlin RE, Beck JS, Ennis EG (1981) A Fröhlich interaction of human erythrocytes. Phys Lett 82A:436 Rowlands S, Sewchand LS, Ennis EG (1982a) Further evidence for a Fröhlich interaction of erythrocytes. Phys Lett 87A: 256
Roy SC, Braden T, Pohl HA (1981) Possibility of pseudoferoelectric state in cells: some experimental evidence. Phys Lett 83A: 142–144
Sewchand LS, Roberts D, Rowlands S (1982) Transmission of the quantum interaction of erythrocytes. Cell Biophys 4:253–259 Westby GWM, Kirschbaum F (1978) Emergence and development of the electric organ discharge in the mormyrid fish, Pollimyrus isidori II: Replacement of the larval by the adult discharge. J Comp Physiol 127 (1): 45–60
Westby GWM, Kirschbaum F (1982) Sex differences in the waveform of the pulse type electric fish Pollimyrus isidori (Mormyridae). J Comp Physiol 145 (3): 399–404
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1988 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Pollock, J.K., Pohl, D.G. (1988). Emission of Radiation by Active Cells. In: Fröhlich, H. (eds) Biological Coherence and Response to External Stimuli. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73309-3_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73309-3_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-73311-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-73309-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive