Chapter 15. Physical actions in biological adhesion

E. Evans
Departments of Pathology and Physics, University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 2B5

1. Preface: Biological view of adhesion

2. Introduction: Physical view of adhesion

3. Mechanics of adhesion: Macroscopic view

4. Membranes: Macrocolloids

4.1. Van der Waals attraction
4.2. Electric double layer repulsion
4.3. Entropy-driven repulsion between flexible membranes
4.4. Depletion driven attraction

5.1. Spreading by cytoskeletal contraction

6.1. Strength of attachment
6.2. Microscopic dynamics of rupture

7.1. Contour roughness, mechanical stiffness and impingement
7.2. Mesoscale mechanics of fracture

Acknowledgement

References