Yin, Chang; (1990) A study of the efficiency of converting free energy into mechanical work in mouse soleus muscles. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

1. A study has been made of energetic cost of contraction in mouse soleus muscle by recording tension, length change and the heat production from contracting muscles. A new and rigorous method has been introduced in this study to assess the efficiency of converting free energy into mechanical work in mouse muscles. 2. The "energy balance" in mouse soleus muscle has been tested by comparing the ratio of recovery energy to initial energy. It has been found that this ratio is bigger in working contractions than that in isometric tetani. 3. The energetic cost of work production in mouse soleus muscles has been assessed by comparing the work/enthalpy ratio with the work/free energy ratio. It is found that the efficiency value in mouse soleus muscle is lower compared with that in frog and in tortoise muscle. 4. It is striking and totally unexpected to find that the recovery ratio in working contractions is not the same as that in isometric contractions. A series of control experiments has been designed and conducted in order to clarify the existence of this phenomenon. 5. Experiments have also been done on mouse soleus muscles which are stretched during tetani. The ratio of recovery energy to initial energy has been studied and compared with that in shortening. 6. This study indicates that there may be an unknown but energetically important process in mouse soleus muscles. The possible existence of such an unidentified process has been critically discussed.

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