Cooperative behaviour of the elementary sarcomere units and the cross-bridge step size.
We present a model of muscle contraction based on purely physical grounds and modulated by a parameter, k, related to the visco-elastic hindrances of the contractile apparatus. The model predicts a strong cooperation among sarcomere units and proposes that viscous hindrance is a fundamental component of the economy of the contraction. The concept of cross-bridge step size is also discussed and it is concluded that the step size is of various and probably undeterminable length.
Grazi
Enrico
E
Dipartimento di Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare, Università di Ferrara, Via Borsari 46, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. gre@unife.it
Di Bona
Cristina
C
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012518:Sarcomeres / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate