Colloidal phase transitions in muscles: analogy to actuators

Vaclav Bouda; Lea Boudova; Denisa Haluzikova

doi:10.1117/12.468375

11 March 2003 Colloidal phase transitions in muscles: analogy to actuators

Vaclav Bouda, Lea Boudova, Denisa Haluzikova

Proceedings Volume 4946, Transducing Materials and Devices; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.468375
Event: Photonics Fabrication Europe, 2002, Bruges, Belgium

Abstract

The contribution describes the effects of both van der Waals and repulsive electrostatic forces on the function of micron-sized contractile units of the human muscles - sarcomere. The first step of the contraction of 1-2 nm is assumed to be phase transition of the internal structure of actin filaments. The most significant second step of contraction is interpreted as calcium induced phase transition of the lattice of colloid-sized myosin heads, which results in relative actin-myosin sliding of about 6-7 nm. The third step of the contraction of 1-2 nm seems to be the result of the classical myosin heads swinging. The model should provide the engineer and physicist with a simple analogy to technical actuators of high performance.

Citation Download Citation

Vaclav Bouda, Lea Boudova, and Denisa Haluzikova "Colloidal phase transitions in muscles: analogy to actuators", Proc. SPIE 4946, Transducing Materials and Devices, (11 March 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.468375

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