The interplay between chemical reactions and transport in structured spaces

TL;DR

This paper investigates how chemical reactions and transport processes interact within structured, non-compact spaces modeled as networks of containers and tubes, to better understand cellular compartmentalization effects.

Contribution

It introduces a model of structured spaces composed of containers and tubes, analyzing the interplay between reactions and transport in such geometries.

Findings

Topology influences reaction-transport dynamics

Transport rate D affects chemical exchange efficiency

Reaction rates lambda impact overall system behavior

Abstract

There is a high degree of compartmentalization in the living cell where various compartments sustain different chemical reactions and transport reactants among themselves. It is exactly such situation that is investigated. The main motivation behind this study is to understand interplay between reactions and transport in a geometries that are not compact. Typical examples of compact geometries are box, sphere, etc. On the other hand, a network made of containers C1,C2,...,CN and tubes is a typical example of space that is structured, and such non compact space is main focus on this study. The whole space is divided into a two regions. First, in containers particles react with rate lambda. Second, tubes connecting containers allow for exchange of chemicals with transport rate D. By varying topology of such network and details of chemical reactions it is possible to gain some understanding of interplay between chemical reactions and transport in structured spaces.