dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaStochastic dynamics of magnetic nanoparticles and a mechanism of biological orientation in the geomagnetic field
| Authors | V. N. Binhi |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0412158 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0412158 |
Abstract
The rotations of microscopic magnetic particles, magnetosomes, embedded into the cytoskeleton are considered. A great number of magnetosomes are shown to possess two stable equilibrium positions, between which there occur transitions under the influence of thermal disturbances. The random rotations attain the value of order of radian. The rate of the transitions and the probability of magnetosomes to stay in the different states depend on magnetic field direction with respect to an averaged magnetosome's orientation. This effect explains the ability of migrant birds to faultless orientation in long-term passages in the absence of the direct visibility of optical reference points. The sensitivity to deviation from an `ideal' orientation is estimated to be 1-2 degrees. Possible participation of magnetosomes in biological effects caused by microwave electromagnetic fields is discussed.
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"abstract": "The rotations of microscopic magnetic particles, magnetosomes, embedded into\nthe cytoskeleton are considered. A great number of magnetosomes are shown to\npossess two stable equilibrium positions, between which there occur transitions\nunder the influence of thermal disturbances. The random rotations attain the\nvalue of order of radian. The rate of the transitions and the probability of\nmagnetosomes to stay in the different states depend on magnetic field direction\nwith respect to an averaged magnetosome\u0027s orientation. This effect explains the\nability of migrant birds to faultless orientation in long-term passages in the\nabsence of the direct visibility of optical reference points. The sensitivity\nto deviation from an `ideal\u0027 orientation is estimated to be 1-2 degrees.\nPossible participation of magnetosomes in biological effects caused by\nmicrowave electromagnetic fields is discussed.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0412158",
"authors": [
"V. N. Binhi"
],
"categories": [
"physics.bio-ph"
],
"title": "Stochastic dynamics of magnetic nanoparticles and a mechanism of biological orientation in the geomagnetic field",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0412158"
},
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