Deformation Features in the Cell When the Coronavirus Enters It

Authors

  • L.A. Bulavin Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Faculty of Physics, Chair of Molecular Physics
  • Yu.F. Zabashta Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Faculty of Physics, Chair of Molecular Physics
  • K.I. Hnatiuk Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Faculty of Physics, Chair of Molecular Physics

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15407/ujpe66.9.785

Keywords:

coronavirus, cell, deformation, penetration

Abstract

A mathematical model has been proposed to describe the deformation behavior of a cell, when a coronavirus enters it. The model is continuum-based, and the theory of elasticity is used in calculations. It was found that the deformation process accompanying the penetration of coronavirus consists of two stages. At the first stage, the deformations of cytoplasmic membrane are elastic. At the second stage, the structure of a cytoplasmic membrane is destroyed. The dependence of the energy of the “coronavirus–cell” system on the size of the contact zone that separates the coronavirus and the cell was obtained. The existence of an energy barrier that separates both stages of the deformation process was proved. As a result, the penetration of the coronavirus terminates at the end of the first stage. However, the energy barrier can be overcome due to thermal fluctuations.

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Published

2021-10-04

How to Cite

Bulavin, L., Zabashta, Y., & Hnatiuk, K. (2021). Deformation Features in the Cell When the Coronavirus Enters It. Ukrainian Journal of Physics, 66(9), 785. https://doi.org/10.15407/ujpe66.9.785

Issue

Section

Physics of liquids and liquid systems, biophysics and medical physics

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