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Related Concept Videos

Magnetic Fields01:27

Magnetic Fields

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A moving charge or a current creates a magnetic field in the surrounding space, in addition to its electric field. The magnetic field exerts a force on any other moving charge or current that is present in the field. Like an electric field, the magnetic field is also a vector field. At any position, the direction of the magnetic field is defined as the direction in which the north pole of a compass needle points.
A magnetic field is defined by the force that a charged particle experiences...
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Magnetic Susceptibility and Permeability01:31

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In linear magnetic materials, like paramagnets and diamagnets, magnetization is proportional to the magnetic field intensity. The constant of proportionality, a dimensionless number, is called magnetic susceptibility. The value of the susceptibility depends on the type of material.
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Ferromagnetism01:31

Ferromagnetism

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Materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt consist of magnetic domains, within which the magnetic dipoles are arranged parallel to each other. The magnetic dipoles are rigidly aligned in the same direction within a domain by quantum mechanical coupling among the atoms. This coupling is so strong that even thermal agitation at room temperature cannot break it. The result is that each domain has a net dipole moment. However, some materials have weaker coupling, and are ferromagnetic at lower...
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Magnetism01:30

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Magnets are commonly found in everyday objects, such as toys, hangers, elevators, doorbells, and computer devices. Experimentation on these magnets shows that all magnets have two poles: one is labeled north (N) and the other south (S). Magnetic poles repel if they are alike and attract if unlike. Moreover, both poles of a magnet attract unmagnetized pieces of iron.
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Potential Due to a Magnetized Object01:24

Potential Due to a Magnetized Object

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Magnetic dipoles in magnetic materials are aligned when placed under an external magnetic field. For paramagnets and ferromagnets, dipole alignment occurs in the direction of the magnetic field. However, the dipoles align opposite to the field in the case of diamagnets. This state of magnetic polarization due to the external field is called magnetization. Magnetization is defined as the dipole moment per unit volume. It plays a similar role to polarization in electrostatics.
The vector...
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Other Unique Bacteria01:18

Other Unique Bacteria

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Magnetic bacteria exhibit a directed movement called magnetotaxis, driven by structures called magnetosomes. These magnetosomes consist of chains of magnetic particles made of either magnetite (Fe₃O₄) or greigite (Fe₃S₄) and are organized in a linear conformation by a protein scaffold within invaginations of the cell membrane. The bacteria align along the north–south magnetic field lines, much like a compass needle. They are typically microaerophilic or anaerobic...
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Updated: Mar 16, 2026

High-Speed Magnetic Tweezers for Nanomechanical Measurements on Force-Sensitive Elements
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Physical limits to magnetogenetics.

Markus Meister1

  • 1Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States.

Elife
|August 17, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study questions recent findings on biological magnetism, suggesting proposed mechanisms for magnetic orientation and cell control contradict fundamental physics. Protein complexes likely lack the necessary magnetic properties for such applications.

Keywords:
biophysicsmagnetic controlmagnetoreceptionneurosciencenonephysical plausibilitystructural biology

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Magnetobiology

Background:

  • Recent studies propose novel mechanisms for biological magnetism, including magnetic orientation via protein complexes and magnetic control of ion channels.
  • These findings suggest significant advancements in understanding how magnetic fields interact with biological systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the physical plausibility of recently reported phenomena involving magnetic fields affecting biological molecules and cells.
  • To critically evaluate the proposed mechanisms in light of established physical laws.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of magnetic properties of biological molecules.
  • Comparison of reported experimental effects with predictions from fundamental physics principles.

Main Results:

  • The reported magnetic effects and proposed mechanisms for magnetic orientation and cell control are inconsistent with basic laws of physics.
  • Calculations show significant discrepancies (5-10 log units) between reported phenomena and physical expectations.
  • The paramagnetic properties of protein complexes severely limit their effectiveness in engineering magnetically sensitive cells.

Conclusions:

  • The explanations provided for observed magnetic phenomena in biological systems are likely incorrect.
  • Alternative, yet undiscovered, causes must be responsible if these phenomena are real.
  • Current understanding of protein complex paramagnetism indicates limitations for developing magnetically controlled cellular functions.