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Low frequency electric and magnetic fields have different effects on the cell surface
Author(s) -
Marron Michael T.,
Goodman Eugene M.,
Sharpe Paul T.,
Greenebaum Ben
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(88)80631-8
Subject(s) - physarum polycephalum , electric field , magnetic field , electromagnetic field , condensed matter physics , waveform , physics , surface (topology) , extremely low frequency , nuclear magnetic resonance , materials science , chemistry , voltage , quantum mechanics , biochemistry , geometry , mathematics
There is a considerable controversy over the nature of weak electromagnetic‐field effects in living organisms. Part of the controversy can be traced to a lack of understanding of whether electric or magnetic fields are involved in producing bioeffects. We find that both 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields alter the cell surface of Physarum polycephalum . Exposure to electric fields increases the negative charge on the cell surface while magnetic‐field exposure decreases the hydrophobic character of the surface. These effects appear to be additive and independent of the waveform of the applied fields.