Electro-mechanical Contributions to Low Frequency Dielectric Responses of Biological Cells in Colloidal Suspension

We investigate electro-mechanical contributions to the low frequency dielectric response of biological cells in colloidal suspension. Prior simulations of biological cells in colloidal suspension yield maximum dielectric constant values about 3 10 in magnitude as the frequency of applied electric fields drops below the kHz range. Experimentally measured relative dielectric values in yeast cells, on the other hand, have maximal values up to 7 10 - 8 10 . We consider both electrical and mechanical energy stored in cellular suspension and show that low frequency mechanical contributions can give rise to dielectric constant values of this magnitude.