E-raamat: Electromagnetism, Quanta, And Electron Flow In The Electrophysiology Of Living Cells

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
• Introduction:
  • Facts and Definitions
  • What about Volts?
  • What is the Current Idea about Cellular Voltage?
  • The Concept of Electron Density
  • Does the Electrolyte Distribution Actually Determine the Trans-Membrane Potential?
  • Where, in Living Cells, is Electricity Generated?
  • Depolarisation (Loss of Cytoplasmic Electron Density) Activation
  • A Test of the Impedance Hypothesis
  • Fast Depolarisation in Conducting Tissue
  • Repolarisation
  • The Calcium, Sodium and Potassium Problems
  • Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Muscles
  • The Effect of the Ca²⁺ Problem on Cardiac Muscle Electrophysiology
  • Mechanical Restitution and the Optimal Contractile Response
  • Internal Calcium Ion Release and Recirculation
• Non-Electromagnetic Theory versus Electromagnetic Theory of Muscular Function:
  • Objections to the Non-Electromagnetic Theory of Striated Muscle
  • Different Theories
  • Electromagnetic Theory of Muscle Contraction
  • Electrophysiology of Smooth Muscle
  • Flow-Mediated Dilatation
  • Pulmonary Vessels
  • Non-Vascular Smooth Muscle
  • Hierarchy of Vertebrate Muscle
• Other Organs:
  • Electrophysiology of Endocrine Glands
  • Electrophysiology of Exocrine Glands
  • Exceptions to Any General Model
  • Central and Autonomic Nervous Systems
  • Receptors Affecting Perception
  • Receptors Initiating Feedback Control Reflexes
  • Summary and General Comments on Vertebrate Animals
• Invertebrates:
  • The Electrophysiology of Invertebrates
• Interlude:
  • Electricity Passing Through Flesh
• Other Organisms:
  • Plants
  • Fungi
  • 'Primitive' Organisms
  • Bacteria
• Epilogue
• References
• Index

Readership: Electrophysiologists, clinicians, and students of Biophysics, Physiology, Biochemistry, Biology, Medicine and related courses.

'It is remarkable that any electron flow through the cellular gels is largely ignored in classical texts on cell physiology, which also incorrectly treat the intracellular milieu as a fluid. Dr Noble offers a novelty and tantalizing challenge to the aspiring physiologist by suggesting the incorporation of electron distribution on the cellular gel proteins in the physiology of electrical and contractile properties. The book, by doing so, brings cell physiology indeed closer to the realm of modern physics.' - Henk E D J ter KeursProfessor Emeritus, University of Calgary, Canada

'Mark Noble has had a long and distinguished career in academic and cardiac medicine ... much of which has focussed on electrophysiological mechanisms controlling rate, rhythm and contractile behaviour in the heart. This book, which draws on reflections in his retirement, is a fascinating and iconoclastic survey of electrophysiological processes in both cardiac and many other excitable tissues in the animal kingdom which will interest and alter the understanding of both clinicians and basic scientists in many disciplines.' - Anthony SeedProfessor Emeritus, Imperial College London, UK

'This book delivers a critical analysis of electric phenomena in physiology from the cellular to the systemic level. Dr Noble's own very successful career in physiology is the breeding ground for his thinking reflected in this book. As usual with his work, he dares to question general accepted theories and that alone makes this monograph worth reading. It will help the reader in developing his/her own independent scientific mind.' - Jos AE SpaanProfessor Emeritus, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, The Netherlands

'If, with René Descartes, one is convinced of the role of doubt and second-guessing in scientific-philosophical discourse, and that very unusual ideas should be discussed apart from the established mainstream, Noble has taken up the challenge with this book. In his new work, he not only questions the standard concepts of electrophysiology and calls them inadequate, but also puts up for discussion a highly stimulating panorama of ideas about theories of physiological processes — including quantum physical considerations — in the whole of biology and challenges us to refute or validate them.' - Jochen SchaeferRetired Professor, International Institute for Theoretical Cardiology, Germany

'Scientific progress thrives on controversies. This book contributes significantly to that essential, ongoing process and discusses the nature of physiological mechanisms fundamental to life itself from an electron-based perspective. It is written by an established scientist in such a way that the reader is drawn into the debate. The content is accessible and of interest to a wide readership.' - Gijs ElzingaRetired Professor, The Netherlands

'Professor Noble takes a stab at explaining electrophysiology of excitable cells in terms of quantum physics. At the core of his daringly bold concept he replaces cation inflow as a cause for depolarisation of excitable cells with efflux of electrons provided by mitochondria. Even though the argumentation is yet to be supported by a similarly vast experimental body of evidence as conventional concepts of cellular electrophysiology, his book is a truly challenging, thought-provoking reading experience!' - Ursula RavensSenior Professor, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany

'Mark was able to explain complicated physiological phenomena in a comprehensive way. He is open-minded and likes new and challenging ideas.' - Björn WohlfartProfessor, Lund University, Sweden

Key Features:

• Analyses electrical physiological functions as electricity (i.e. movement of electrons), which contrasts with the present teaching that these functions are phenomena indicating ion movement; it mirrors the classical work Electron Flow in Organic Chemistry (Paul H Scudder, 1992)
• Written by Professor Mark I M Noble, who holds three doctorates and four elected fellowships, and is an international authority on a number of subjects within the field of the science of the cardiovascular system
• Contains almost 100 figures, of which more than 40 are previously unpublished