A Reconsideration of the Link between the Energetics of Water and of ATP Hydrolysis Energy in the Power Strokes of Molecular Motors in Protein Structures

doi:10.3390/ijms9091730

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Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2008, 9(9), 1730-1752; doi:10.3390/ijms9091730

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A Reconsideration of the Link between the Energetics of Water and of ATP Hydrolysis Energy in the Power Strokes of Molecular Motors in Protein Structures

Wilfred F. Widdas

Faculty of Science, University of London (1960-1981); Retired. Address: Honeysuckle Farm, Jarvis Gate, Sutton St. James, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE12 0EU, UK

Received: 26 July 2008; in revised form: 29 August 2008 / Accepted: 8 September 2008 / Published: 9 September 2008

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Muscle Contraction Mechanism, Motor Proteins Function and Molecular Aspects of Water)

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Abstract: Mechanical energy from oxygen metabolism by mammalian tissues has been studied since 1837. The production of heat by mechanical work was studied by Fick in about 1860. Prior to Fick’s work, energetics were revised by Joule’s experiments which founded the First Law of Thermodynamics. Fenn in 1923/24 found that frog muscle contractions generated extra heat proportional to the amount of work done in shortening the muscle. This was fully consistent with the Joule, Helmholtz concept used for the First Law of Thermodynamics. The link between the energetics of water and ATP hydrolysis in molecular motors is recommended for reconsideration.

Keywords: Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP); ATP-splitting; chemical energy; surface energy of water; First Law of Thermodynamics; Joule/Helmholtz concept; Fenn Effect

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MDPI and ACS Style

Widdas, W.F. A Reconsideration of the Link between the Energetics of Water and of ATP Hydrolysis Energy in the Power Strokes of Molecular Motors in Protein Structures. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2008, 9, 1730-1752.

AMA Style

Widdas W.F. A Reconsideration of the Link between the Energetics of Water and of ATP Hydrolysis Energy in the Power Strokes of Molecular Motors in Protein Structures. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2008; 9(9):1730-1752.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Widdas, Wilfred F. 2008. "A Reconsideration of the Link between the Energetics of Water and of ATP Hydrolysis Energy in the Power Strokes of Molecular Motors in Protein Structures." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 9, no. 9: 1730-1752.

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