The free energy of glycogen-lactic acid breakdown in muscle

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Abstract
The free energy of anaerobic glycogen-lactic acid breakdown in muscle is 11/2[long dash]2 times as great as the corresponding heat of reaction. This relation depends chiefly upon 2 physical factors[long dash]specific heat and solubility differences between glycogen and lactic acid. This means that the maximum mechanical work which a muscle might perform is considerably greater than corresponds to the heats of the causal chemical changes, the extra heat energy being dervied from the surroundings. In view of the high free energy value found to obtain, the chief energetic of glycogen-lactic acid breakdown, which assumes for itself practically the whole of the responsibility for the development of mechanical energy in muscle, receives fresh, independent support.
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