How bioelectricity shapes our body

Are we made of electricity? Let's dive into it

4 min read

Electric signals have always been associated with the firing of neurons and the pumping of the heart. However, body biology comprises a major source of electrical energy, which is the main core of the communication between cells. This energy is called a bioelectric signal. They are involved in development, healing, and even disease.

What are bioelectric signals?

The human body contains various voltage-gated channels, including ion channels, ion pumps, and an electrochemical gradient. They are especially mediated by sodium. Such channels are capable of firing electric currents for the active transport of electrons across the cell. Every cells are capable of such transport, especially for nutrients, and hence electric impulses may be seen all over our body's individual cells, including skin cells, muscle cells, bone cells, stem cells, and immune cells

Bioelectric signals in development

Bioelectric signals are involved in cellular level. They are involved in regulating gene expression, thus directing cell behavior such as migration, proliferation, cell death, differentiation, gene expression, and shape changes.

Bioelectric signals in regeneration

In reptiles like salamanders and frogs, bioelectric signals control limb regeneration. While humans have limited regeneration, bioelectric signaling still plays a role in:

Wound healing
Tissue repair
Scar formation

Bioelectric Signals and Cancer

Cancer could be classified as a bioelectric disorder, and hence could be treated based on this concept

Cancer cells have altered membrane potentials
Normalizing electrical signals can suppress tumor growth
In some experiments, correcting voltage patterns caused cancer cells to behave normally—even with mutated genes