Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Detection of Architectural Distortion in Prior Mammograms via Analysis of Oriented Patterns
Published on: August 30, 2013
Principles and applications of fluctuation analysis: a nonmathematical introduction
Abstract:
The mechanisms underlying many of the processes studied by membrane biophysicists are inherently probabilistic, and therefore exhibit random fluctuations around the mean of behavior. These fluctuations reflect the underlying probabilistic mechanism and therefore can sometimes provide information, not otherwise available, about these mechanisms. Fluctuations may be characterized by their spectra which are obtained from a Fourier analysis of the experimental records. When a theory for membrane processes is available, it makes predictions about fluctuation spectra and therefore may be tested by examining these spectra. Theories about gating behavior at the frog neuromuscular junction have been tested in this way, and it has been possible, in addition, to estimate the conductance of one open channel, a quantity not susceptible to direct measurements. Various physical pictures are capable of yielding the same macroscopic behavior for axon membranes, that is, the Hodgkin-Huxley equations, but these various mechanisms predict that the current fluctuations around their mean values should have different characteristics. Fluctuation analysis may, then be of value in elucidating the physical basis for axon conductance changes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Entropy
Entropy
When an ideal gas expands isothermally, the disorder in the gas increases. From the molecular perspective, the gas molecules have more volume to move around in.
Consider an infinitesimal step in the expansion, which...
Propagation of Uncertainty from Random Error
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus I: Problem Solving
Introduction to Limits
The Squeeze Theorem

