Abstract:
The interfilament spacing of the anterior byssus retractor muscle
from Mytilus edulis was studied as the muscle was extended. It
was found that variations in this spacing were very small and
consistent with the hypothesis that the interfilament spacing was
independent of the extension of the muscle.
It was observed that the interfilament spacing was dependent on
the osmolarity of the bathing medium. In concentrated solutions
of the artificial seawater, the interfilament spacing decreased;
while in dilute solutions of artificial seawater, it was observed
that the interfilament spacing was increasing.
X-ray diffraction patterns were obtained from fresh, and glutaraldehyde
fixed, specimens of insect flight muscle from Sarcophaga
bullata. There patterns were in general agreement with previous
X-ray diffraction studies of insect flight muscle. A reflexion
G at 93A was observed and interpreted as arising from diffraction
in the mitochondria. Specimens of dried insect flight muscle
produced a diffraction pattern consisting of arc and ring reflexions.
This was interpreted as suggesting an ordered arrangement
of cristae, in the mitochondria from these muscles.
