Linear Hydration appears to regulate space in Living Cells.
- As water approaches lipid and poly-ionic surfaces of molecules in living cells, it forms transient linear elements of hydration in cubic conformations. As shown on the left, the linear elements are relatively short and last only about a million millionth of a second. As they disassemble and return into higher energy states, energy is withdrawn from adjacent molecules and they move into lower-energy, more ordered stable forms. Polypeptides move into linear and coil forms. Although the ice-like elements are present for too short a time to be identified, they occupy space and assist in regulating assembly and interactions between molecules. A more detailed description is included in "The Matrix of Life, Second Edition."