Calculate the spring constant of a muscle cell. The 1500 myofibrils in the muscle cell are arranged in parallel. Calculate the spring constant of a single myofibril

Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations and Connections
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ISBN:9781133939146
Author:Katz, Debora M.
Publisher:Katz, Debora M.
Chapter8: Conservation Of Energy
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 24PQ: A block is placed on top of a vertical spring, and the spring compresses. Figure P8.24 depicts a...
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A muscle cell in the biceps is 23 cm long and contains 1500 myofibrils arranged in parallel to each other. each myofibril is made up of many sarcomeres, organized in series, that behave as springs. A relaxed sarcomere is 5 μm long. When contracted, the cell shortens to half its length and develops a force of 33 mN. Each of those structures, the cell, myofibril, and sarcomere, can be modeled as a spring.

Calculate the spring constant of a muscle cell.

The 1500 myofibrils in the muscle cell are arranged in parallel. Calculate the spring constant of a single myofibril. 

The myofibrils are composed of sarcomeres that are arranged in series. Calculate the number of sarcomeres in each myofibril then calculate the spring constant of a single sarcomere. 

When we shiver in the cold, our muscles oscillate at a frequency of 13 Hz and with an amplitude of 5 cm. Assume a muscle is a simple harmonic oscillatory and calculate the mass of the load on that oscillator. 

Calculate the mass of the load on a single myofibril.

Calculate the mass of the load on a single sarcomere. 

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