Mechanical Properties of Guinea Pig Taenia Coli Muscles

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Abstract
Conditions have been established under which taenia coli muscles give consistent responses to electrical stimulation in experiments lasting up to 8 h. Using a new definition of resting length different muscles show similar mechanical characteristics. In agreement with previous investigations the mechanical behaviour of taenia coli is found to be qualitatively similar to vertebrate skeletal muscles. Compared with frog sartorius (a) the active tension per unit area is similar, (b) the maximum power output about 80 times less, (c) 90% of he maximum active tension is developed over a range of lengths abaut twice as great. Experiments with iodoacetic acid indicate that a condition of rigor can exist in this muscle.