Fractal scaling mechanisms in biomembranes. Oscillations in the lateral diffusion coefficient.

A modified model of the Cohen-Turnbull free volume theory for lateral transport processes in biomembranes is presented. The model which is based on renormalization group theoretical concepts incorporates fractal rather than Markovian diffusion kinetics. It predicts harmonic oscillations in the lateral diffusion coefficient around a dominant power-law trend and clarifies, in addition, recently observed deviations from the Cohen-Turnbull exponential law.