Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Recapitulation of an Ion Channel IV Curve Using Frequency Components
Published on: February 8, 2011
Parity-breaking bifurcation and global oscillation in patterns of ion channels
Marc Leonetti1, Johannes Nuebler, Fabrice Homble
1IRPHE, Universités Aix-Marseille I and II, UMR CNRS 6594, Technopôle de Château-Gombert, 13384 Marseille Cedex 13, France.
Abstract:
Stationary spatiotemporal pattern formation emerging from the electric activity of biological membranes is widespread in cells and tissues. A known key instability comes from the self-aggregation of membrane channels. In a two-dimensional geometry, we show that the primary pattern undergoes four secondary instabilities: Eckhaus-like, period-halving, drift instabilities, and a global oscillation. The stability diagram is determined. The parity-breaking (drift) bifurcation of channel density is characterized analytically and numerically.
Related Concept Videos
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Non-gated Ion Channels
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
Non-gated Ion Channels
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Ion Channels
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...

