Sarcomere length-tension relations of frog skinned muscle fibres during calcium activation at short lengths. 1979

R L Moss

1. Single twitch fibres were isolated from anterior tibial muscles of the frog, Rana pipiens. The relationship between sarcomere length and steady tetanic tension at 5 degrees C was obtained from these living fibres in the range of sarcomere lengths between about 2.2 and 1.3 microns . These fibres were then either mechanically or chemically skinned. 2. Segments were cut from the skinned fibres and mounted in an experimental chamber using a technique designed to minimize segment compliance at the points of attachment. A piece approximately 1 mm in length remained exposed to the bathing solution. 3. The segments were photographed through a light microscope at magnifications of about 460 or 110 X during activation and relaxation, so that the sarcomere lengths could be determined from a part or the whole of the segment. Activations were done with solutions of pCa either 5.49 or 6.09 and at a temperature of 5 degrees C. Fibre segments which developed striation pattern irregularities during contraction were rejected. 4. The sarcomere length-tension relation obtained from these segments in the sarcomere length range 1.3-2.2 microns was similar to that obtained from the same fibres while still living. The results were similar at the two values of pCa used. 5. These results do not support the view that sarcomere length dependent variation in the amount of calcium which is released during tetanic stimulation is a major determinant of the form of the length-tension relation in living muscle fibres at sarcomere lengths less than about 2.0 microns.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009119 Muscle Contraction A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments. Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009132 Muscles Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals. Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D011894 Rana pipiens A highly variable species of the family Ranidae in Canada, the United States and Central America. It is the most widely used Anuran in biomedical research. Frog, Leopard,Leopard Frog,Lithobates pipiens,Frogs, Leopard,Leopard Frogs
D002118 Calcium A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes. Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001001 Anura An order of the class Amphibia, which includes several families of frogs and toads. They are characterized by well developed hind limbs adapted for jumping, fused head and trunk and webbed toes. The term "toad" is ambiguous and is properly applied only to the family Bufonidae. Bombina,Frogs and Toads,Salientia,Toad, Fire-Bellied,Toads and Frogs,Anuras,Fire-Bellied Toad,Fire-Bellied Toads,Salientias,Toad, Fire Bellied,Toads, Fire-Bellied
D066298 In Vitro Techniques Methods to study reactions or processes taking place in an artificial environment outside the living organism. In Vitro Test,In Vitro Testing,In Vitro Tests,In Vitro as Topic,In Vitro,In Vitro Technique,In Vitro Testings,Technique, In Vitro,Techniques, In Vitro,Test, In Vitro,Testing, In Vitro,Testings, In Vitro,Tests, In Vitro,Vitro Testing, In

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