Shortening velocity of single muscle cells isolated from a molluscan smooth muscle

The maximal unloaded shortening velocity (Vmax) of smooth muscle cells isolated from the pedal retractor muscle ofMytilus was more than twice as large as that of the whole muscle, suggesting the presence of extracellular components which resist the contraction of the whole muscle. The Vmax of the isolated cells was almost constant at cell lengths ranging between 0.5 and 0.8310 (10, optimal length for tension generation) indicating that the intracellular resistance to contraction is negligible within this range of lengths.