Molecule-specific degradation processes

Where peptide chemistry can make a contribution toward the proof of protein structure is in the application and continued formulation of degrada-tive techniques. Since fragmentation of the protein molecule to smaller peptides is probably the key reaction in degradative processes, the search for specific reagents for the selective cleavage of various peptide bonds and the standardization of existing techniques is of prime importance (Katsoyannis, 1961). 

In our consideration we have not yet taken into account that liquid crystals are weak electrolytes possessing the corresponding specific properties [2, 3, 97]. Ions could be created by the action of the external electric field, which favors the dissociation of neutral molecules (chemical degradation) or as a result of electrochemical reactions near the electrode boundaries. The latter process is mainly defined by the injection of the additional charge carriers from the electrodes. In some cases, the appearance of electrohydrodynamic instabilities in the nematic phase does not correlate with such crystalline properties as dielectric Ae or conductivity Aa anisotropy. The only physical reason for these instabilities is nonuniform ion distribution along the direction z parallel to the electric field and perpendicular to the cell substrate. 

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