Charged pair current networks in bioenergetics.

The operation of bioenergetic systems is postulated to be based on charged pair networks. The basic elements of the networks are pairs of opposite charges accompanied by conformational changes of the protein medium. The elementary events are the separation and recombination of charged pairs and partner exchange between two such pairs. The last event makes the construction of networks possible and provides for the flexibility of coupling modes in mitochondria. Bioenergetic systems appear to use electricity in a hitherto unsuspected way. The networks are constructed entirely on electrostatic principles. The possibility of generalization to include mechanical elements is discussed.