Tension and solute depletion in multilamellar vesicles

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2002 May;65(5 Pt 1):052901. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.65.052901. Epub 2002 May 20.

Abstract

We show that a metastable multilamellar vesicle ("onion"), in contact with excess solvent, can spontaneously deplete solute molecules from its interior through an unusual, entropy-driven mechanism. Fluctuation entropy is gained as the uneven partition of solute molecules helps the onion relieve tension in its lamellae. This mechanism accounts for recent experiments on the interaction between uncharged phospholipid onions and dissolved sugars.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Biophysics
  • Entropy
  • Lipid Bilayers*
  • Models, Statistical
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Surface-Active Agents*
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Surface-Active Agents