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Maxwell's Thermodynamic Relations01:23

Maxwell's Thermodynamic Relations

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Maxwell's thermodynamic relations are very useful in solving problems in thermodynamics. Each of Maxwell's relations relates a partial differential between quantities that can be hard to measure experimentally to a partial differential between quantities that can be easily measured. These relations are a set of equations derivable from the symmetry of the second derivatives and the thermodynamic potentials.
All thermodynamic potentials are exact differentials. Therefore, their second-order...
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Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation02:39

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The physical form of a substance changes on changing its temperature. For example, raising the temperature of a liquid causes the liquid to vaporize (convert into vapor). The process is called vaporization—a surface phenomenon. Vaporization occurs when the thermal motion of the molecules overcome the intermolecular forces, and the molecules (at the surface) escape into the gaseous state. When a liquid vaporizes in a closed container, gas molecules cannot escape. As these gas phase molecules...
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Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
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Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.
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Membrane Fluidity01:26

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Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
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When a force is applied parallel to the top surface of a solid, it resists the applied force due to the internal frictional forces between the layers of the solid known as shearing resistance. However, when the force is removed, the shearing forces restore the original shape of the solid. Other deformation forces also cause temporary changes in shape if the forces are not beyond a threshold magnitude. Solids tend to retain their shape, making the study of their rest and motion easier. Beyond...
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Protein condensates as aging Maxwell fluids.

Louise Jawerth1,2, Elisabeth Fischer-Friedrich3,4, Suropriya Saha1

  • 1Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Str. 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 11, 2020
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Protein condensates act as Maxwell glasses, exhibiting time-dependent viscoelastic properties. Their viscosity increases with age, offering insights into cellular biochemistry modulation.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Soft Matter Physics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Protein condensates are complex fluids with dynamic material properties.
  • A comprehensive rheological description for these fluids is currently lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the time-dependent rheological properties of in vitro protein condensates.
  • To establish an appropriate rheological model for protein condensates.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized laser tweezer-based active rheology.
  • Employed microbead-based passive rheology for characterization.
  • Analyzed structural changes using electron microscopy.

Main Results:

  • Protein condensates exhibit viscoelastic Maxwell fluid behavior across different ages.
  • Viscosity significantly increases with condensate age.
  • Elastic modulus shows minimal variation with age, with no significant structural changes observed.

Conclusions:

  • Protein condensates function as soft glassy materials, termed Maxwell glasses.
  • These materials possess age-dependent properties crucial for cellular biochemistry modulation.