Spontaneous rhythmic contraction of separated heart muscle cells.
Muscle cells that conitract spontaneously and rhythmically can be obtained from adult mouse myocardium. Contractions are observed immediately after homogenization in a solution that is ionically similar to intracellular fluid. Contraction frequency varies directly with temperature and decreases as a function of time after homogenization. At 16 degrees C rhythmic relaxation and contraction occur for about 20 minutes. Contractions are dependent on the presence of adenosine triphosphate in the homogenization medium.
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003470:Culture Media; D046508:Culture Techniques; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D051379:Mice; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology*
D003470:Culture Media; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate