The effect of temperature on capacitance changes in an oscillating model membrane

Abstract The electrical properties of model membranes are altered during stretching or pressure pulses. We have used a mechanico-electric transduction model to interpret the temperature dependence of capacitance changes produced in oxidized cholesterol membranes during mechanical oscillation. The relative contribution of the torus and bilayer portions of the membrane to the capacitance change is identified. The difference in elasticity between the bilayer and torus decreases rapidly with decreasing temperature and ultimately the torus becomes as solid as the bilayer portion of the model membrane.