<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Between 1910 and 1913 Rudolf Höber presented proof that the interiors of red blood cells and muscle cells contain conducting electrolytes, and that each conducting core is contained within an insulating membrane. He did this by demonstrating, in a series of remarkable electrical experiments, that the conductivity of compacted cell samples at low frequencies (~150 Hz) was about ten-times less than the value obtained at ~5 MHz. On perforation of the membrane, the low-frequency conductivity increased to a value approaching that exhibited at MHz frequencies. Apart from representing a major milestone in the development of cell biology and electrophysiology, Höber’s work was the first description of what we now call the dielectric β-dispersion exhibited by cell suspensions and fresh tissue.</p></abstract>

Between 1910 and 1913 Rudolf Höber presented proof that the interiors of red blood cells and muscle cells contain conducting electrolytes, and that each conducting core is contained within an insulating membrane. He did this by demonstrating, in a series of remarkable electrical experiments, that the conductivity of compacted cell samples at low frequencies (~150 Hz) was about ten-times less than the value obtained at ~5 MHz. On perforation of the membrane, the low-frequency conductivity increased to a value approaching that exhibited at MHz frequencies. Apart from representing a major milestone in the development of cell biology and electrophysiology, Höber’s work was the first description of what we now call the dielectric β-dispersion exhibited by cell suspensions and fresh tissue.

Marking 100 years since Rudolf Höber’s discovery of the insulating envelope surrounding cells and of the β-dispersion exhibited by tissue

Journal of Electrical Bioimpedance

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Between 1910 and 1913 Rudolf Höber presented proof that the interiors of red blood cells and muscle cells contain conducting electrolytes, and that each...

Marking 100 years since Rudolf Höber’s discovery of the insulating envelope surrounding cells and of the β-dispersion exhibited by tissue

Article Category: Tutorial Article

Published Online: Nov 23, 2012

Page range: 74 - 79

Received: Sep 07, 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5617/jeb.401

Keywords
Dielectric beta-dispersion, Cells, Erythrocytes, Membrane capacitance, Membrane resistance, Muscle cells, Tissue impedance

© 2012 Ronald Pethig and Ilka Schmueser, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Marking 100 years since Rudolf Höber’s discovery of the insulating envelope surrounding cells and of the β-dispersion exhibited by tissue

Article Category: Tutorial Article

Published Online: Nov 23, 2012

Page range: 74 - 79

Received: Sep 07, 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5617/jeb.401

KeywordsDielectric beta-dispersion, Cells, Erythrocytes, Membrane capacitance, Membrane resistance, Muscle cells, Tissue impedance

© 2012 Ronald Pethig and Ilka Schmueser, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Dielectric beta-dispersion, Cells, Erythrocytes, Membrane capacitance, Membrane resistance, Muscle cells, Tissue impedance