Abstract
TENDONS immersed in a solution of mercury – potassium iodide contract; if held at constant length they exert tension, there being a reversible relation between tension and concentration of the reagent1. This system has been proposed as a model of the molecular mechanism of muscular contraction2, and may be taken as typical of such models3. The reagent appears to act as a ‘plasticizer’, weakening attractions between protein molecules, and leaving them free to curl up under the influence of thermal agitation.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Pryor, M. G. M., Proc. Roy. Soc., B, 137, 71 (1950).
Pryor, M. G. M., “Progress in Biophysics”, 1 (edit. Randall and Butler, London: Butterworth, 1950).
Pryor, M. G. M., “Deformation and Flow in Biological Systems” (edit. Frey Wyssling. Amsterdam: North Holland Pub. Co., 1952).
Wiegand, W. B., Trans. Inst. Rubber Indust., 1, 141 (1925).
Wöhlisch, E., and du Mesnil de Rochement, R., Z. Biol., 85, 406 (1927).
Weber, H. H., Z. Elektrochem., 55, 511 (1951).
Mommaerts, W. F. H. M., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 4, 50 (1950).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
PRYOR, M. Heat Exchanges of a Muscle Model. Nature 171, 213 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1038/171213a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/171213a0
This article is cited by
-
The mechanochemistry of force production in muscle
Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility (1981)
-
Mechanochemical Engines
Nature (1966)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.