Biomaterial Database

Stimulation rate, potentiators, and sarcomere length-tension relationship of muscle. 1985

L C Rome, and D L Morgan, and F J Julian

Isometric tetani of single muscle fibers of Rana temporaria were studied as a function of stimulation rate, sarcomere length (1.7-2.3 micron), twitch-to-tetanus ratio, and exposure to twitch potentiators (Zn2+ and NO3-) at 20 degrees C. As the stimulation rate was decreased below a maximal level, tension generation decreased. This depression in tension generation was more pronounced at shorter sarcomere lengths. Therefore the magnitude and shape of the sarcomere length curve was dependent on stimulation rate. Although the depression in tension generation was always accompanied by a noticeable ripple in the tension record in fibers with large twitch-to-tetanus ratios, it could be observed even during well-fused tetani in fibers with low twitch-to-tetanus ratios. In all fibers, however, high stimulation rates or exposure to potentiators resulted in maximum tension generation at each length, and the sarcomere length-tension curve followed that found by Gordon, Huxley, and Julian. This indicates that the fall in tension between sarcomere lengths of 2.0 and 1.7 micron is not due to length-dependent activation but is more likely to be the result of mechanical interference in the force-generating interaction between cross bridges and thin filament sites.

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
D009210	Myofibrils	The long cylindrical contractile organelles of STRIATED MUSCLE cells composed of ACTIN FILAMENTS; MYOSIN filaments; and other proteins organized in arrays of repeating units called SARCOMERES .	Myofilaments,Myofibril,Myofilament
D009566	Nitrates	Inorganic or organic salts and esters of nitric acid. These compounds contain the NO3- radical.	Nitrate
D011896	Rana temporaria	A species of the family Ranidae occurring in a wide variety of habitats from within the Arctic Circle to South Africa, Australia, etc.	European Common Frog,Frog, Common European,Common European Frog,Common Frog, European,European Frog, Common,Frog, European Common
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
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
D001696	Biomechanical Phenomena	The properties, processes, and behavior of biological systems under the action of mechanical forces.	Biomechanics,Kinematics,Biomechanic Phenomena,Mechanobiological Phenomena,Biomechanic,Biomechanic Phenomenas,Phenomena, Biomechanic,Phenomena, Biomechanical,Phenomena, Mechanobiological,Phenomenas, Biomechanic
D012518	Sarcomeres	The repeating contractile units of the MYOFIBRIL, delimited by Z bands along its length.	Sarcomere
D015032	Zinc	A metallic element of atomic number 30 and atomic weight 65.38. It is a necessary trace element in the diet, forming an essential part of many enzymes, and playing an important role in protein synthesis and in cell division. Zinc deficiency is associated with ANEMIA, short stature, HYPOGONADISM, impaired WOUND HEALING, and geophagia. It is known by the symbol Zn.