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Journal of Experimental Biology 47,249-265 (1967)
Published by Company of Biologists 1967

Thermodynamic Aspects of Flagellar Activity

M. E. J. HOLWILL ¹ and N. R. SILVESTER ¹

¹ Department of Physics, Queen Elizabeth College, London, W.8

1. The frequencies of the beat of cilia and flagella from various organisms have been determined at temperatures in the range 5-35°C.

2. Values of the activation enthalpy (H, kcal./mole) and activation entropy (S, e.u.) derived from the thermal dependence of frequency show a linear correlation of the form, S = 3·25 H-50·75.

3. The corresponding isokinetic activation free energy is 15·6 kcal./mole.

4. The results support a hypothesis that the breakdown of an ATP-ATPase complex could be the common rate-limiting reaction for flagellar activity.

5. Values of H and S for the decay of length or tension in striated muscles also fall on the same regression line but some smooth muscles show deviations.