[Effect of electrical fields on the kinetics of biological processes]

The general problem of the influence of local electrical fields in albuminous systems in vitro on kinetics of chemical transformations and transport of charged particles (electrons, ions) in these systems are considered. Local electrical fields change the activation energy and many stimulate a considerable change of the rate constant values for the process with heterolytic breaks of chemical bonds. Utilization of energy stored in the biological systems for active ion transport is discussed. It is shown in particular that the free energy of ATP hydrolysis may be utilized for initiating redox reactions and stored in the form of inner electrical field energy. This field may stimulate the drift transport of ions and also transport the mean electrical field of the biological membrane