Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 2 October 1981:
Vol. 214. no. 4516, pp. 79 - 82
DOI: 10.1126/science.6974399
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Science, Vol 214, Issue 4516, 79-82
Copyright © 1981 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Skeletal muscle: length-dependent effects of potentiating agents

Lopez JR, LA Wanek, and Taylor SR

The ability of vertebrae skeletal muscle to contract more vigorously than normal in the presence of potentiating agents depends on the initial length of a muscle cell. Other factors such as the intracellular calcium ion transient, temperature, chemical nature of the potentiating agent, and the ratio of intrinsic twitch to tetanic force influence the degree of contractile potentiation but cannot account for the length dependence. At least part of a muscle cell seems normally less than fully active during contractions not only at short lengths but also at optimal sarcomere lengths.




To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)