Physics and biology: Bio-plasma physics

The purpose of this paper is to show that plasma physics can be useful in the investigation of the physical properties of living cells. Concepts like charge neutrality, Debye length, and double layer are very useful to explain the electrical properties of a cellular membrane. It is hoped that examples of physics applications to biology can be useful in giving students of physics courses new motivations to study physics and to carry out interdisciplinary studies. This paper can be easily understood by students of physics courses with no previous knowledge of plasma physics or biology. (C) 2000 American Association of Physics Teachers.