Physical Methods on Biological Membranes and Their Model Systems

This book examines in depth the theory, instrumental innova­ tions, potential applications and limitations of the different techniques -- NMR, EPR, DSC, spectrofluorimetry, and electron microscopy -- that are being used to investigate the function and structure of biological membranes and their model systems. Pro­ viding an overview of the present status of research, this book gives evidence of the complementary nature of information generated by different techniques, reminding one of the necessity to create a common language and viewpoint of membranes. F. Conti W. E. Blumberg J. De Gier F. Pocchiari v CONTENTS Physical methods on biological membranes and their model system: A perspective . • • • • • . • • • • • • . • 1 F. Conti, J. de Gier and W. E. Blumberg High resolution NMR spectroQcopy in liquids and solids • • 5 T. Axenrod Basic principles of deuterium and phosphorus-31-magnetic resonance 27 J. Seelig Use of electron spin resonance to study complex biological membranes . . •••. •••••••••. •. • 39 H. M. Swartz Freeze-etching electron microscopy: recent developments and application to the study of biological membranes and their components. • • . • • . • • • • . • • •• 55 T. Gu1ik-Krzywicki The nature of intramembraneous particles • • • • • • • •. 73 A. J. Verk1eij Lateral and polymorphic phase transitions in relation to the barrier function of a lipid membrane. • • • . • 81 J. de Gier, C. J. A. van Echte1d, J. A.