Abstract
Previous studies on cartilage metabolism have focused on how mechanical signals are transmitted from the extracellular matrix into the cell to influence its synthesis activities as well as on mRNA expression. Mechanical loading on cartilage causes interstitial fluid flow, solid matrix deformation, streaming potential and other electrochemical effects which in turn cause passive ion transport across the cell membranes. This study determines the mechano-electrochemical events associated with the passive ion transport and fluid flow across a chondrocyte membrane. The passive ion transport across the thin membrane is described using a one-dimensional model. Several equations which provide the quantitative relationships between mechanical signals and electrochemical signals across the membrane are presented.