Water and the Cell

This edited volume deals with the state of water in the vicinity of biological interfaces, both intracellular and extracellular. This issue is of critical importance, for the cell is extremely crowded with interfaces, and as a result practically all cell water is interfacial. The character, or state, of this water may therefore be central to cell function. What is meant by the 'state of water?' Few would question that water coming out of a household tap is a liquid, but water in an ice cube is something altogether different: it is a solid that floats on tap water (also known as bulk water). It is water in the solid state. The fact that ice floats is an indication that it is less dense than water. Clearly, the physical properties are different. Water molecules below 0 C form a crystal. In this crystal, the two positively charged hydrogen atoms of water bind to the double negative charges of oxygen atoms of two adjacent water molecules. The resulting crystal lattice is arranged in such a way as to be less dense than tap water, and constituent water molecules are also less mobile.

Table of Contents:
A Convergence of Experimental and Theoretical Breakthroughs Affirms the PM theory of Dynamically Structured Cell Water on the Theory’s 40th Birthday.- Molecular Basis of Articular Disk Biomechanics: Fluid Flow and Water Content in the Temporomandibular Disk as Related to Distribution of Sulfur.- Coherent domains in the streaming cytoplasm of a giant algal cell.- The glassy state of water: A ‘stop and go’ device for biological processes.- Information Exchange within Intracellular Water.- Biology’s Unique Phase Transition Drives Cell Function.- The Effects of Static Magnetic Fields, Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and Mechanical Vibration on some Physicochemical Properties of Water.- Solute Exclusion and Potential Distribution Near Hydrophilic Surfaces.- Vicinal Hydration of Biopolymers: Cell Biological Consequences.- The Liquid Crystalline Organism and Biological Water.- The Unfolded Protein State Revisited.- Some Properties of Interfacial Water: Determinants for Cell Architecture and Function?.- Donnan Potential in Hydrogels of Poly(Methacrylic Acid) and its Potassium Salt.- Biological Significance of Active Oxygen-Dependent Processes in Aqueous Systems.- The Comprehensive Experimental Research on the Autothixotropy of Water.- Non-Bulk-Like Water on Cellular Interfaces.- The physical nature of the biological signal, a puzzling phenomenon: the critical contribution of Jacques Benveniste.- Freezing, Flow and Proton NMR Properties of Water Compartments in the Temporomandibular Disc.