List of Figures
Figure 1.1 2
Structure of a Phospholipid molecule. The head group is hydrophilic. The tail group is
comprised of an oily fatty acid group and is thus hydrophobic. The average lipid
molecule is on the order of 2 nm in length.
Figure 1.2 3
(a) Self assembly of lipids into cell membranes, (b) Schematic diagram of an animal
cell denoting some of its components.
Figure 1.3 3
Representation of a cellular membrane. In addition to lipid molecules, it also contains
proteins, carbohydrates and ion channels. It is also supported by the cells cytoskeleton.
(Public domain image)
Figure 1.4 5
An illustration of the three membrane potentials. The transmembrane potential (¾yzr),
the surface potential (ψs) and the dipole potential (^).
Figure 1.5 6
Schematic of typical AFM tip-cantilever assemblies. Schematic of typical AFM tip-
cantilever assemblies.
Figure 1.6 7
(Left) Schematic of an AFM optical detection system; a laser is bounced off the back
of the AFM tip and directed to a split photodiode. (Right) Scanning Electron
Microscope image of an AFM tip.
Figure 1.7 8
AFM image of an IgM antibody (image is approximately 20 nm x 20 nm in size).
Image taken from Reference [13].
Figure 1.8 9
Schematic of a typical AFM force-distance curve showing both approach and retract
curves. Image taken from Reference [16].
Figure 1.9 10
Schematic of supported lipid bilayer preparation by vesicle fusion. When preformed
lipid vesicles are exposed to a flat substrate (mica in the above case), they rupture
and form supported lipid bilayers.
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