Orientation of human and avian erythrocytes in radio-frequency fields

Abstract

Human and chicken erythrocytes are suspended in isotonic glucose or mixed isotonic glucose and saline orient when subjected to impressed radio-frequency fields. Erythrocyte orientation may be either across the field or with the field. The direction of orientation can be predicted from knowledge of the frequency of the impressed field and the conductivity of the suspending medium. The relationship between orientation and frequency can be changed by altering the osmotic environment. The type of chamber and the techniques used seem to offer both practical and theoretical (analytical) advantages over earlier procedures. While this paper deals with normal erythrocytes, the procedures could be applied to other systems with relative ease.