|
Four configurations of Na+ crossing a membrane obtained from computer
simulations. The ion is yellow, the lipid head groups are magenta and the lipid tails
forming the nonpolar membrane interior are blue. The oxygen and hydrogen atoms of water
molecules surrounding the membrane are red and white, respectively. Click on an image to
view a larger version of it.
 The ion, fully solvated by water
molecules, approaches the membrane. |
 As the ion enters the membrane, the
membrane deforms around it... |
 Midway through the membrane, the ion is
solvated by a combination of water molecules that it has dragged along with it and head
groups... |
 As the ion approaches the other side of
the membrane, it becomes solvated by head groups and waters from that side. |
|
