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Desensitization of a balance with Langmuir binding of weights

Biological Physics 2007-05-23 v1 Quantitative Methods

Abstract

A balance is described with Langmuir binding of weights to each side. This simple physical system, when coupled with a previously derived equation for the equivalent displacement of weight that perturbs the equilibrium of a balance, models two-state, receptor systems in pharmacology for receptor activation. Surprisingly, this system also shows desensitization similar to many drug-receptor systems. Although understanding the biophysics behind receptor signaling is an important endeavor by itself, this analogy with a simple balance may bring new insights into other areas of physics as well.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.physics/0303055,
  title  = {Desensitization of a balance with Langmuir binding of weights},
  author = {Richard Lanzara},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/0303055},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

11 pages with 3 embedded figures