Diversity of Effects of Mechanical Influences on Living Systems and Aqueous Solutions

Water is the basis of life. Any factors acting on water will also affect the functioning of living organisms, including humans. Mechanical effects are as ubiquitous as temperature or magnetic fields. Numerous works have been devoted to the action of mechanical impacts on living systems, aqueous solutions, and water. However, no unified theory that would allow predicting the consequences of mechanical effects on living organisms based on their characteristics. In this review, we have attempted to systematize the available quantitative data on the effects of mechanical impacts on living organisms, cells, aqueous solutions, and purified water. In addition, in this review, we provide a basic overview of the variety of mechanical effects and the mechanisms of their realization. The responses of living systems and aqueous solutions depend quantitatively on different sets of characteristics of the vibration action. The magnitude of responses of living systems (cells and organisms) to mechanical action correlates with frequency, acceleration, and force. Mechanical action changes the characteristics of water and aqueous solutions as a function of frequency, acceleration, and duration. The data obtained may find application in a wide range of fields: from analytical chemistry and pharmacology to environmental protection.