DiffEqs

Plain Bilayer Membrane

A plain lipid bilayer is approximately an ideal capacitor. The equation for an ideal capacitor is

$C \frac{dV(t)}{dt} = I(t)$

$V(0) = 0$

Here C is a constant (parameter), the capacitance of the membrane, proportional to area.

Next V(t) is the membrane potential.

Next I(t) is the current into the membrane, with a sign such that a positive current depolarizes the cell. The sign conventions are TRICKY!!! I get confused all the time.