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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...
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The phase of a given substance depends on the pressure and temperature. Thus, plots of pressure versus temperature showing the phase in each region provide considerable insights into the thermal properties of substances. Such plots are known as phase diagrams. For instance, in the phase diagram for water (Figure 1), the solid curve boundaries between the phases indicate phase transitions (i.e., temperatures and pressures at which the phases coexist).
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The internal energy of a substance—the total kinetic energy of all its molecules and the potential energy of their associated forces—depends on the strength of the intermolecular forces in the condensed phases and the pressure exerted on the substance. The internal energy of a substance is the highest in the gaseous state, the lowest in the solid state, and intermediate in the liquid state. Phase transitions are caused by changes in physical conditions, such as temperature and...
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Phase Transitions in Chemically Fueled, Multiphase Complex Coacervate Droplets.

Carsten Donau1, Fabian Späth1, Michele Stasi1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany.

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Summary

This study models membraneless organelles using a peptide and polyelectrolytes. A chemical reaction cycle controls droplet phases and liquidity, revealing kinetics

Keywords:
Chemically FueledComplex CoacervationMembraneless OrganellesMultiphase DropletsPhase Transitions

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Physical Chemistry

Background:

  • Membraneless organelles are cytosol droplets with internal organization.
  • Regulation mechanisms for these subcompartments remain unclear.
  • Active processes are crucial for cellular functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To model membraneless organelles using a complex coacervate system.
  • To investigate the role of chemical reaction cycles in regulating droplet phases.
  • To understand how kinetics influences the organization of multi-phase droplets.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a model using two polyanions and a short peptide.
  • Utilized a chemical reaction cycle to control peptide-polyelectrolyte affinity.
  • Studied phase transitions and identified kinetically controlled regimes.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated distinct regimes within the phase diagram controlled by the reaction cycle.
  • Identified novel phase transitions governed by kinetic control.
  • Showed that the chemical reaction cycle tunes droplet liquidity.

Conclusions:

  • Chemical reaction cycles can regulate the internal organization and liquidity of membraneless organelles.
  • Both thermodynamic properties and kinetics are essential for understanding multi-phase droplet organization.
  • Active processes play a significant role in tuning the liquid state of cellular compartments.