Bio-Chemistry of Muscle Contraction

Abstract

THE films of long-chain organic compounds (e.g. the aliphatic mono- and dibasic acids) crystallised on glass surfaces possess a structure in which the molecules are orientated so that their terminal groups lie in a series of planes parallel to the surface on which they are deposited. This structure is similar to that postulated by Friedel for liquid crystals (e.g. soap curds) in the smectic state. In the lamellse between the planes, the long chains are arranged with respect to the surface at an angle which depends on the nature of the terminal group. For the mono-basic fatty acids the inclination is about 55° and for the esters of these acids approximately 90°.