Ferroelectrics and their possible involvement in Biology

Abstract

We present the main properties of ferroelectricity, with emphasis given to a specific family of hydrated ferroelectric crystals, which can serve as model systems for corresponding configurations in biology like the microtubules. An experimental method is described, which allows to establish the ferroelectric property of microtubules in suspension.

7 pages latex, one figure, included separately as ps file. Based on talks by N.E.M. and K.Z. at the Workshop `Biophysics of the Cytoskeleton', Banff, Canada, August 18-22 1997. To appear in Adv. Str. Biol