| Abstract: | The shape of mechanically pierced giant vesicles is studied to obtain the elastic modulus of Gaussian curvature of egg lecithin bilayers. It is argued that such experiments are governed by an apparent modulus, ¯κapp, not the true modulus of Gaussian curvature, ¯κ. A theory of ¯κapp is proposed, regarding the pierced bilayer vesicle as a closed monolayer vesicle. The quantity measured, i.e. ¯κapp/κ, where κ is the rigidity, agrees satisfactorily with the theory. We find ¯κapp = -(1.9 ± 0.3) · 10-12 erg (on the basis of κ = (2.3 ± 0.3) · 10-12 erg). The result may have implications for bilayer fusion. |
