The Cell's Biological Rods and Ropes

摘要

The mechanical rigidity of cells is pro- vided by networks and mats of filamen- tous proteins and other compounds which form the cell wall and cytoskele- ton. These materials span an enormous range of deformation resistance: Net- works of action at physiological concen- trations have a compression resistance several orders of magnitude less than the air we breathe, while a thin layer of pep- tidogly can permits some bacteria to op- erate at pressures of the order of 20 atm.