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The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...
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Noncovalent attractions are associations within and between molecules that influence the shape and structural stability of complexes. These interactions differ from covalent bonding in that they do not involve sharing of electrons.
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Atoms and molecules interact with each other through intermolecular forces. These electrostatic forces arise from attractive or repulsive interactions between particles with permanent, partial, or temporary charges. The intermolecular forces between neutral atoms and molecules are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, and dispersion forces, collectively known as van der Waals forces.
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Atoms and molecules interact through bonds (or forces): intramolecular and intermolecular. The forces are electrostatic as they arise from interactions (attractive or repulsive) between charged species (permanent, partial, or temporary charges) and exist with varying strengths between ions, polar, nonpolar, and neutral molecules. The different types of intermolecular forces are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion; among these, dipole–dipole, hydrogen...
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When very thin cylindrical tubes, called capillaries, are dipped in a liquid, the liquid rises or falls in the tube compared to the surrounding liquid. This phenomenon is called capillary action. Capillary action occurs due to the combination of two opposing forces: the cohesive forces of the liquid, which cause it to stick to itself and form a rounded shape, and the adhesive forces between the liquid and the walls of the container, which cause the liquid to be attracted to the container walls.
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Adhesion occurs when one type of molecule is attracted to a different molecule. Water exhibits adhesive properties in the presence of polar surfaces, such as glass or cellulose in plants. For instance, when water is poured into a glass, the positively charged hydrogen molecules of water are more attracted to the negatively charged oxygen molecules in the silica than to the oxygen in neighboring water molecules.
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Capillary forces generated by biomolecular condensates.

Bernardo Gouveia1, Yoonji Kim2, Joshua W Shaevitz3

  • 1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cellular liquid-liquid phase separation forms biomolecular condensates. Capillary forces at condensate surfaces drive cellular processes and remodel substrates, offering a new frontier in cell biology.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Soft Matter Physics
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Membraneless compartments, or biomolecular condensates, form via liquid-liquid phase separation in cells.
  • The interface between immiscible liquid phases exhibits interfacial tension, leading to capillary forces.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the physical principles of capillarity in the context of biological systems.
  • To illustrate how capillary forces influence the structure and function of biomolecular condensates.
  • To highlight the role of capillary forces in remodeling biological substrates.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical physics principles of capillarity.
  • Analysis of interfacial tension and capillary forces in multiphase condensates.
  • Examples of biological substrate remodeling by capillary forces.

Main Results:

  • Capillary forces, arising from interfacial tension, can perform work within the cellular environment.
  • These forces play a role in structuring multiphase condensates.
  • Capillary forces can remodel biological substrates, influencing cellular processes.

Conclusions:

  • Capillary forces are a significant, yet underappreciated, mechanism for intracellular force generation.
  • Understanding condensate capillarity bridges soft matter physics and cell biology.
  • Identifying biomolecular determinants of condensate capillarity is a key future research direction.