Quantum-mechanical theory for transport across biological membranes

Abstract

A general quantum-mechanical description of molecular transport across biological membranes has been developed. The one-dimensional Schrodinger equation for the motion of ions and molecules across the biological membrane has been solved using reasonable potential barriers. Two types of potential profiles for such transports have been considered: a flat barrier proposed by Hall et al. for lipids and an oscillatory potential proposed by Lauger for lipids and by us in this paper for intrinsic proteins. The general behavior of the transmission coefficient as a function of energy and the variation of the permeability as a function of structural changes in the membrane have been discussed. Finally, the importance and areas of applicability of such a theory have been pointed out.